Ukraine has reportedly transformed another sport plane into a long-range strike drone, with one crashing inside Russia, more than 600 miles from the Russia-Ukraine border. The crashed unmanned aerial vehicle, an adaptation of the Nynja available pre-built or as a kit, was found upside down in a field in Russia. The Nynja has a range of 400 miles at a cruise speed of around 100 miles per hour and can carry several hundred pounds of payload, making it a versatile and effective drone.
The Nynja drone is similar in shape, size, and performance to Ukraine’s other drone sport plane, an adaptation of the Aeroprakt A-22. The crashed drone was equipped with a turret for an electro-optical sensor, likely a video camera, that could assist a remote operator in guiding the drone to its target. Autonomous navigation over a potentially six-hour mission is likely GPS-assisted, making these drones effective for long-distance flights and missions.
The wrecked Nynja drone was carrying a 220-pound FAB-100 bomb on an underbelly hard-point, suggesting that it could potentially drop its payload and return to base, making it a reusable option for Ukraine. However, given that the drone must travel at least 800 miles to reach its target and return, it is likely a one-way trip. Despite this, the cost-effectiveness of the Nynja drone compared to expensive cruise missiles makes it an attractive option for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
It is unclear how many Nynja drones Ukraine may have on hand, as at least 1,600 copies have been produced since 1991. Pilot Mathieu Bourdin noted the difficulty of purchasing a new Nynja since 2022, when Russia expanded its war on Ukraine. It appears that Kyiv is buying up all available Nynja airframes from local industry in order to convert them into explosive drones for use against Russian targets.
The cost-effectiveness and versatility of the Nynja drone make it an attractive option for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, allowing for long-range strikes on valuable targets such as air bases, factories, and oil refineries. The ability to convert these sport planes into deadly drones has provided Ukraine with a new weapon in its arsenal against Russian aggression. Despite the challenges of long-distance missions and limited fuel capacity, the Nynja drone remains a cost-effective and efficient tool for Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty.
