17:01 12-01-2026

Russia Develops New Long-Range FPV Loitering Munition

Russian developers are creating a new loitering munition with a range over 50 km, integrated with the Knyaz Vandal Novgorodsky FPV drone system.

Developers of the Russian fiber-optic FPV drone known as Knyaz Vandal Novgorodsky (KVN) have begun work on a new loitering munition with a flight range exceeding 50 kilometers. The project was disclosed by the company’s chief designer.

According to him, the new munition is being designed as part of a unified system together with the KVN drone. One of its key features will be the ability to relay communications through the FPV platform. In terms of combat use, the new weapon is expected to perform tasks similar to the Lancet loitering munition, but within a proprietary technological ecosystem developed by the company.

The designer explained that the concept involves a loitering munition capable of operating in tandem with Knyaz Vandal Novgorodsky, including serving as a communications relay. The overall employment scenario, he said, mirrors that of the Lancet, which has already proven itself in combat, but relies entirely on the developer’s own integrated system.

He added that Russian engineers are simultaneously working on several other promising unmanned platforms. Among them is a strike UAV powered by a jet engine, designed to reach speeds of more than 500 kilometers per hour. Details about this system, he noted, are expected to emerge later through frontline reports.

At the same time, modernization continues on the reconnaissance drone Knyaz Veshchiy Oleg, which only recently entered serial production. Originally capable of staying airborne for just over two hours, the UAV has undergone upgrades and has demonstrated an endurance of around three and a half hours. Further work is also underway to enhance its ability to detect hostile drones and evade them in flight.