Recently, Ukrainian officials have confirmed the development and combat deployment of a new Ukrainian Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), Katran VENOM. 

As reported, the system is capable of carrying a variety of weapon systems and equipment.

This vehicle is being developed by Military Armoured Company HUB of the Ukrainian Brave1 platform, a unified coordination platform for Defence Tech, created and powered by the Government of Ukraine. The key features of this USV are multifunctionality and modularity. 

In particular, the manufacturers have declared  the following armament options for the USV:

• Two torpedoes mounted under the wings,
• A minigun at the front,
• A Browning machine gun positioned above, with a 180-degree firing angle, and
• Two Piorun MANPADS mounted on a turret.

It is worth noting that this list of weapons likely represents only possible configurations for the Katran VENOM USV. That is, it will be equipped with only the necessary weapons for a specific mission, rather than carrying all systems simultaneously.

The Katran VENOM USV also features the following onboard equipment:

• A laser targeting detection system,
• Electronic warfare and radio-electronic reconnaissance systems, and
• A decoy launch system employing smoke and heat traps to evade rockets and artillery shells.

Katran VENOM USV can move at speeds up to 130 km/h and cover a range of up to 1,500 km. It is also equipped with speed and laser guidance sensors to monitor battlefield conditions, as well as an automatic target acquisition system capable of selecting and tracking multiple targets. Unlike other Ukrainian sea drones, which typically feature a single water jet engine, the Katran VENOM USV is powered by two submersible jet engines.

Also read: Ukraine | Unveils ‘Black Widow 2’ River Borne USV Drone

The new Ukrainian USV can be controlled via any satellite Internet antenna. Additionally, it is equipped with a surveillance system integrating both daytime and thermal imaging cameras to maximise situational awareness in maritime conditions.

The specific type of torpedoes to be installed on the Katran VENOM USV has not yet been disclosed. However, it is worth mentioning that in one of its previous military aid packages, Sweden transferred an unspecified underwater weapon to Ukraine, which may have been the Torped 47 or SLWT guided torpedoes.

These advanced modern torpedoes can independently patrol a designated area and engage enemy ships and submarines.

As emphasised by the developer, the Katran VENOM USV is designed to perform the following missions:

• Assault Operations on Water,
• Air and Naval Operations Support, and
• Reconnaissance Missions.

Also read: Turkey | “Swarm” of “kamikaze” USVs Albatros under the guidance of UAV TB2 Bayraktar – VIDEO