The Ukrainian Armed Forces have begun testing the Black Widow 2 USV drone.

Specifically, according to a report on the Ukrainian Militarnyi website, two brigades from Ukraine’s armed forces have begun military trials of the Black Widow 2, a new first-person view (FPV) unmanned surface vehicle (USV-drone).

Developed by the Brave1 technology cluster, it was designed to carry out reconnaissance, surveillance, and offensive “kamikaze” operations on rivers and inland waterways.

The Black Widow 2 is a battery-powered, cost-effective, versatile, and lightweight platform that is one meter long and weighs 8 kg, with a maximum speed of 40 kph and an operational range of up to 10 km. The rechargeable onboard battery provides the USV with several hours of run time and can be put on standby to allow it to patrol for a time till it detects hostile targets to appear.

The USV is equipped with a camera, mounted on a rotating gimbal, that can rotate both horizontally and vertically and has a day / night capability. It can carry a three-kilogram explosive payload that allows it to be used as a kamikaze USV against small rigid and inflatable enemy boats.

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The developers say that the river drone is just like an FPV but works on the water. The request for the manufacturing of the USV was commissioned by the Ukrainian military in 2023 to combat the movement and resupply of Russian troops that occupied the islands in the Dnipro River.

As reported, at first, the USV was intended to design a version of the Black Widow that could clear waterborne anchored mines as well as a larger and more capable version of the USV. The new drone reportedly costs less than $2,400, and the company will soon be able to produce around 100 systems per month.

The control of the rivers in Ukraine is a strategic asset for those who reign over them during the ongoing conflict since 2022. These waterways, particularly the Dnieper River, act as natural barriers and logistical corridors, influencing operations at tactical and strategic levels.

One of the most significant issues revolves around the control and disruption of river crossings. Bridges over rivers like the Dnieper and Seym are pivotal for moving troops, equipment, and supplies. The deliberate destruction of these bridges, such as the Ukrainian strikes in the Kursk region, has effectively disrupted Russian supply chains and complicated logistics. 

Conversely, Russian forces have targeted river crossings to stall Ukrainian Armed Forces’ advances, like the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, which led to widespread flooding. This flooding not only altered the terrain but also created significant operational and humanitarian challenges, affecting both military mobility and civilian populations.

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