BOOM
- sUAS Munitions and Explosives This page details the types, configurations, and effects of munitions and explosives integrated with small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), with a focus on improvised and semi-formal systems used in the Russo-Ukrainian war from 2022–2025. It includes insights from official military frameworks and OSINT analysis.
"EXPLOSIVE DEVICES FOR UNPILOTED LETHAL VEHICLES" contains a lot of information on the types of explosives and munitions used in sUAS in the right against Russia by Ukrainian Forces.
Terms
ESAD: Electronic Safe and Arm Device — Controls firing sequence electronically with safety interlocks.
ESAF: Electronic Safe Arm and Fire — Legacy British term, interchangeable with ESAD in most contexts.
HME: Homemade Explosives — Any non-commercial explosive synthesized from precursors, typically for DIY or non-state applications.
COTS: Commercial Off The Shelf — Readily available, mass-market components, often repurposed for military use.
F&DR: Fielding and Deployment Release — A formal approval for military use of a system or munition.
DEVCOM Audible: A U.S. Army-developed dropper platform enabling safe release of Army-issued munitions via sUAS.
Munition Types Used in sUAS
| Munition Type | Description | Common Deployment | Observed Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG-7V warhead | Rocket-propelled grenade (shaped charge, anti-armor/HEAT) | FPV drone front-load | Armor penetration, structural destruction. See RPG-7 archive |
| OG-7 warhead | Rocket-propelled grenade (fragmentation, anti-personnel) | FPV drone front-load | Wide-area blast and fragmentation, highly lethal to exposed personnel |
| VOG-17 / VOG-25 | 40 mm grenade (airburst/impact) | Servo-drop mod or breakaway mount | Infantry suppression, light vehicle disablement |
| RGO / RGN | Soviet defensive hand grenades | Drop with fuse-delay | Fragmentation anti-personnel |
| Thermite canister | Thermite mix in metal container | Drop or crash delivery | Incendiary burn-through (fuel tanks, radomes) |
| C4 / Semtex block | Commercial/military plastic explosive | Crash-load in kamikaze drones | Focused blast, breaching |
| HME charges | AN mixtures, NM-based, poor-man's C4 | Custom DIY FPV builds | Mixed reliability; cost-effective |
| Improvised shaped charge | Metal cone with explosive liner | Nose-mounted kamikaze | Penetrative focused effect |
Example Payload Configurations
| Drone Type | Frame/Style | Munition | Trigger System |
|---|---|---|---|
| FPV Kamikaze | 5–7" carbon X-frame | PG-7V / VOG-25 | MOSFET + dual-pin ESAD |
| Servo-drop DJI | DJI Mavic 3 + dropper | RGO / VOG | Servo + timer / RC switch |
| Stick drone | Wood-arm DIY | Thermite / HME | Contact or timed impact |
| Hybrid VTOL | Fixed-wing / quad | VOG bundle | Servo dropper + GPS waypoint |
Notable Use Cases
June 2025 – Strategic Bomber Airbase Attacks
Target: Engels and Soltsy-2 airbases (Tu-95, Tu-160 bombers).
Tactics: Long-range DIY drones (>600 km) using internal fuel bladders, carrying ~3 kg thermobaric or HME payloads.
Effects: Confirmed airframe damage and runway disruption. Satellite imagery showed heat signatures and repair activity within 24 hours.
Payloads: Believed to include ANFO or nitromethane-based charges. Use of low-metal signature airframes suggested radar evasion.
2023–2024: Evolution of DIY FPV Attacks
Initial stage: 3D-printed nosecones for VOG-17s, dropped manually.
Improved stage: Hardened nose for PG-7 warheads, with dual-signal arming logic to prevent premature detonation.
Safety upgrades: Widespread adoption of ESAD-style boards in fielded FPV units. Dual-command MOSFET logic became a standard.
Safety and Regulatory Considerations
U.S. Army and DoD Standards
Any modified munition or new delivery configuration requires an F&DR before deployment.
Safety testing must validate:
- Arming delay
- Flight stability
- Fail-safe logic
- Blast radius modeling
Civilian Context (U.S. Regulations)
- Manufacture of explosives (including HMEs) is legal only when:
- Not stored or transported commercially
- Not intended for criminal or commercial use
- Made in compliance with ATF regs and away from public areas
Informal Practices (Field-Level)
- Safety SOPs often include:
- Always use dual-arm logic (RC + mechanical)
- Avoid nitrile gloves when working with nitric acid mixes
- Store separated precursors, not pre-mixed charges
- Minimize metal in airframe to reduce radar signature
Trends in Improvised Munitions
AN mixtures: Low-cost, easy-to-source, high-yield.
Nitromethane blends: Enhanced detonation velocity, used in combo with shrapnel canisters.
Poor-man's C4: Often ETN or PETN-based, cast into putty with plasticizers.
Thermite: Reliable for damaging engine blocks and electronics.
Field Observations
Thermal imagery shows kamikaze FPV drones deliver a downward-blast profile — suggesting shaped or contact charges.
Ukrainian units have adopted modular payload rails, enabling plug-and-play bomb modules on the same drone chassis.
Remote ESAD triggering via FC spare UART channels becoming standard for trained units.
Future Considerations
Formalization of DIY bomb-droppers via DEVCOM Audible platform could accelerate standardization.
NATO-aligned safety certification may be introduced for partner-state UAS payloads.
OSINT tracking of explosive effectiveness could inform future modular UAS ordinance kits.