A Russian Lancet loitering munition has been spotted in the special military operation zone with an unusual coating covering much of its body. The aircraft, identified as the Izdeliye 52 strike drone, appears in a published image wrapped in material resembling foil. The Telegram channel Osvedomitel drew attention to the footage.

The image was captured by an enemy interceptor. It shows the reflective material covering a large section of the drone’s fuselage.

The purpose of the modification remains unknown. The publication suggested that Lancet operators may be testing different types of coatings that could reduce the drone’s visibility under certain conditions.

The Lancet reconnaissance-and-strike system includes the Z-16 reconnaissance UAV along with strike drones built around a distinctive X-shaped wing configuration.

Earlier reports said a Lancet had struck an IRIS-T SLM air defense system supplied to Kiev at a distance of about 200 kilometers from the strike drone’s launch point.

In August, the Telegram channel Voyennaya Khronika reported another development involving the Lancet. According to the channel, the drones had gained the ability to automatically collect information about a target before launching an attack.