Posted on 10/12/2022 3:18:08 AM PDT by 11th_VA
A small, unmanned watercraft of unknown origin washed up from the Black Sea on the shore of Crimea, near Russia’s naval base in Sevastopol, late last month.
Pictures posted on Russian social media show what appears to be a small, novel surface drone made from commercial watercraft parts laden with explosives that could explain recent Russian Navy trends to keep their warships in port over the last three weeks.
The unmanned surface vehicle was not identified by national markings, but the character of the USV and the Russian reaction to destroying the watercraft suggest that the drone originated in Ukraine.
The photographs published on social media reveal key components of the USV that give better clues to its function.
Analysis of photos of the vessel reveals that it is propelled by a recreational water jet. The waterjet has been specifically identified as closely matching a Sea-Doo design, down to the “No Step” sticker on the housing. The lines of the thrust reverser show that it is a relatively recent model, possibly a GTX or Fish Pro model, based on the images.
Sea-Doo is a Canadian manufacturer of personal watercraft. The company sells its products worldwide, aimed mostly at the civilian market. This means that a Sea-Doo would be relatively easy to source.
The external clues did not provide strong hints about the power plant. But some Sea-Doo models feature high-performance three-cylinder gasoline engines from Rotax that can drive the watercraft up to 70 miles per hour. Some recreational watercraft can be diesel or electric, but gasoline seems the most to be compatible with the Sea-Doo water jet.
Another key feature of the USV is the likely detonation method for the drone. On the bow, two projections have been provisionally identified as impact fuses. These are similar in appearance to fuses on aerial bombs, such as the Soviet-era FAB-500 family, which are still widely used today.
The fuses would likely be connected by a cable to the detonator and warhead. The size and location of the warhead is unclear, but would likely get loaded in the front half of the craft.
While personal watercraft are generally made from fiberglass, or similar materials, the explosive USV appears to be constructed from aluminum based on the appearance of the boat from the social media photos.
Last month, a Pentagon spokesman would not confirm if the USV the unidentified coastal defense USVs the United States provided to Ukraine earlier this year.
Florida man?
I guess that would be “assault” recreational watercraft parts.
Bad image link
There is speculation that such a device/vehicle was used to remotely detonate the explosive device in the truck which exploded on the Crimean Bridge.
Seen pictures and slow motion videos of such a claim.
Not entirely convinced but it is plausible.
Ghost boat. Sounds just as absurd as ghost gun, no?
Thanks
Yes Sir, no problem.
It was the truck bomb, on the road.
A water-level attack MIGHT have taken out a pier, at water level, (MIGHT, depending on amount of explosive, configuration, placement, etc.), but the damage clearly was from above, to the roadway, and the side-flash of the elevated explosion ignited the tanker cars on the adjoining RR bridge.
In my younger days as a UDT/SEAL, I have been on the beach and in the water with small groups that, combined, blew up tons and tons of C-4 and TNT, any way you can imagine. Including making our own shaped charges, platter charges, etc. From little one-pound devices to a ton at a time. Often using high explosives in industrial quantities as a raw material, for custom applications (in training only.)
I just mention the above as bona fides. I know what I’m talking about.
LOL! My thoughts too!
See 12.
I have no doubt the Ukrainians are moving down many parallel lines attempting to take out that bridge and other naval and infrastructure targets on the Black Sea.
But last week’s bridge blast was a truck bomb on the roadway.
“But last week’s bridge blast was a truck bomb on the roadway.”
Yeah, my current take, as well.
I just mentioned what I did cause it was/is part of many speculations that exist.
Don’t know about y’all, but “Ukraine built this” was totally my first thought when I saw a picture of a professionally manufactured drone bomb with no identifying markings. Didn’t think CIA for a second.
But even while they are great for attacking an unprotected very long pipeline, a target like the Crimea Bridge will have every kind of underwater defenses. Mini-subs won't get anywhere near it. And the only nation that would even try it, in the Black Sea, is the US Navy, and they would not risk having frogmen captured or killed and displayed.
Sure, Comrade Travis.
Boom goes the converted swimming pool cleaner.
Agreed.
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