The new combat unit of the Shahed-136 kamikaze drone has the index "BST-52" and is a continuation of the previous "MSNA". During the modernisation, it received additional cumulative and ignition effects.
Russia modernised "Shahed" for the third time.
The Defense Express publication writes that this is already the third version of the Russian combat unit after the appearance in July 2023 of the combat units with the "BSF" index.
A new warhead was found in the "black" Shahed-136, which the Russians used the other day during strikes against Ukraine. In particular, the photos of the UAV were made public by the National Police.
The marking of the warhead contains the index "BST-52" and the number 206-2-23, which indicates that it was produced in 2023. The exact value of "206-2" is being analysed.
What has changed?
The warhead received a cumulative notch, which creates a cumulative jet.
At the same time, the most dangerous is the additional thermal effect during the explosion of the modernised "Shakhed", which is provided by the ignition elements installed in the middle of the warhead. Probably, we are talking about thermal "checkers".
"The attempt to create such a diverse warhead in the Russian Federation somewhat imitates the original Shahed-136 warhead of Iranian production. It had many cumulative funnels, which directly indicated the misunderstanding of its developers of the physical processes of the formation of a cumulative jet, as well as ready-made striking elements ", the publication writes.
It is noted that combat units with the index "BSF", most likely used in other Russian missiles, are no longer noticed.
It is likely that "BST-52" will also replace the "MSNY" in the future, which is more likely also a regular combat part of another Russian missile.
