MAGURA V5. MAGURA V5 (Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus V-type) is a Ukrainian multi-purpose unmanned surface vehicle (USV) developed for use by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) capable of performing various tasks: surveillance, reconnaissance, patrolling, search and rescue, mine countermeasures, maritime security, and combat missions.

Development 
HUR signed contracts to design a new USV with private companies who had previously worked with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in designing USVs, however had their partnerships terminated due to disputes with the SBU over project specifications and budget. A new partnership with HUR was formed that started the project which eventually developed the MAGURA V5.

In November 2022, the Ukrainian government announced the development of a Ukrainian combat surface drone with a range of up to 800 km. The boat was first presented at the International Defence Industry Fair, which took place from 25 to 28 July 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey. On 29 July 2023, a CNN report confirmed that the MAGURA V5 kamikaze boat existed not only as an exhibition model but also as an operational system.

Unlike the Sea Baby used by the SBU, which carries a heavier explosive payload and is primarily used to strike stationary targets such as ships docked in port, the MAGURA V5 is designed for striking warships at sea due to its smaller size and better manoeuvrability.

Both the MAGURA and Sea Baby were inducted into the 385th USV Brigade after its formation as the world's first USV unit in August 2023 although their operatives were still GUR and SBU.

Operational use 

In November 2023, in one documented operational use of the drones, one Serna-class landing craft and one Akula-class landing craft docked at a Russian Navy base in Chornomorske, in western Crimea were destroyed.

On 1 February 2024, several MAGURA V5 drones struck and sank the Tarantul-III class missile corvette Ivanovets in the Black Sea near Lake Donuzlav in Crimea.

On 14 February 2024, several MAGURA V5 drones were used to attack and sink the large landing ship Tsezar Kunikov near Alupka in Russian-occupied Crimea. The sinking of the ship has been confirmed by Russian sources.

On 5 March 2024, MAGURA V5 drones were used in an attack that sank the patrol ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait.

On 30 May 2024, the HUR confirmed the destruction of two Russian boats of the KC-701 Tuna type with the help of Magura V5 strike marine drones.

On 10 August 2024, it destroyed a Russian KS 701 Tunets high-speed boat near the settlement of Chornomorske.

On 31 December 2024, the HUR reported that a MAGURA V5 adapted to fire R-73 air-to-air missiles shot down a Russian Mil Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut, in western Crimea and damage another, which dropped flares during the attack and eventually managed to return to base.

Tactical and technical characteristics 
Some technical characteristics of the drone were published by the Ministry of Digital Transformation in November 2022:

 Length: 5.5 m
 Gross weight: < 1000 kg
 Operating range: up to 400 km
 Range of operation: up to 800 km
 Range: up to 60 hours
 Payload: up to 200 kg, at least one R-73 air-to-air missile.
 Cruising speed: 41 km/h
 Maximum speed: 42 kt (78 km/h)
 Navigation methods: automatic GNSS, inertial, visual
 Video transmission: up to three HD video streams
 Cryptographic protection: 256-bit encryption
 Cost of production: about US$273,000

It is reported that in addition to the drone itself, equipped with an autopilot system, video subsystems, including night vision, redundant communication modules and a combat unit, it includes a ground-based autonomous control station, a transportation and storage system and a data centre.

See also
Sea Baby – USV developed for use by the Security Service of Ukraine
Marichka – Ukrainian autonomous underwater vehicle

Notes

References

Further reading 

Autonomous ships
Ships of the Ukrainian Navy
Ukrainian inventions
Unmanned surface vehicles