ZALA Kub-BLA

Kub-BLA (advertised as KYB-UAV) is a Russian high-precision unmanned aerial vehicle and loitering munition developed by the Russian company ZALA Aero Group (part of Kalashnikov Concern).

Description
Kub-BLA was first unveiled by Kalashnikov during IDEX-2019 exhibition in Abu-Dhabi. The report notes that after launch, the drone can loiter in the air, detecting a target, and then attack it from the upper hemisphere with a vertical dive. "Kub-BLA" delivers a payload according to target coordinates, which are set manually, or according to an image from the target guidance load. In addition, the drone can be used in swarm mode. A new version with a more powerful warhead begun to be supplied in late December 2023.

Combat use
The drone was used against targets in the Idlib Governorate during Syrian civil war, as well as during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv. In May 2022 footage of an attack on a M777 howitzer by a Kub drone was posted by the Russian Ministry of Defence.

According to Lostarmour OSINT project, there have been at least 44 documented uses of Kub drones as of December 2023.

Technical characteristics
Specifications:


 * Wingspan - 1210 mm
 * Length - 950 mm
 * Height - 165 mm
 * Payload capacity - 3 kg
 * Speed - 80-130 km/h
 * Flight duration - 30 minutes