Russia Straps Kalashnikov to FPV Drone, Claims it Can Storm Positions and Shoot Down Aircraft

Russia has showcased a new first-person-view (FPV) combat drone fitted with a Kalashnikov assault rifle, presenting it as a multipurpose weapon for the battlefield, Ukrainian defense media outlet Militarnyi reported on September 11.

Photos of the drone, named Arbalet (“Crossbow”), were released by the project Ukraine context | russia no context. Russian developers claim the platform can be used to shield troop convoys, storm fortified positions, or even serve in an improvised anti-aircraft role.

The drone is based on the 10-inch Drozd model, built with a DeviceF40SD flight controller. Both systems were designed and are produced by Device Consulting, a company headquartered in St. Petersburg.

According to the manufacturer, the Arbalet has a range of 6 to 15 kilometers, can climb to altitudes of up to 5 kilometers, and reach speeds of around 100 km/h while carrying payloads of up to 4 kilograms. Its primary weapon is an AKS-74U assault rifle fitted with a 30-round magazine.

The company has priced the drone at about 140,000 rubles (roughly $1,650), though it remains unclear whether that figure includes the rifle and its modifications. Device Consulting also claims it can produce as many as 500 of these drones per month.

Earlier, wreckage from a recently downed Shahed drone revealed a complete set of equipment—including a mesh modem, antennas, and a forward-facing camera—that could allow the loitering munition to be converted into a steerable FPV-style weapon.

Help Ukrainian Units Hold the Drone Line

Download APP