Russia is set to test an innovative hover drone this month designed specifically to counter Ukrainian Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), a senior engineer at the Center for Unmanned Systems Expertise told Russian news agency "Tass". The aircraft, designated “Fortuna-T,” is a project for the Russian Navy. It is a fixed-wing drone equipped with artificial intelligence and a thermal imaging device. Its main function will be to automatically detect and engage Ukrainian USVs.

A distinctive feature of the Fortuna-T is its manual launch mode, which does not require the use of auxiliary devices. According to the engineer, the drone will be launched into the air with a simple gesture and will be able to autonomously patrol water surfaces. At present, the flight autonomy is estimated at about three hours with a limited payload. Once an enemy USV is detected, the artificial intelligence system will autonomously track it and subsequently engage it.

Russian sources close to the Ministry of Defense who preferred to remain anonymous, stressed that the development of the Fortuna-T represents a direct response to the threat posed by Ukrainian USVs in the Black Sea. In fact, on several occasions these vessels have conducted attacks against Russian military vessels and coastal infrastructure.

The Fortuna-T project focuses on the development of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) specifically optimized for maritime surveillance and the interception of unconventional surface threats, in particular USVs. The integration of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system is a key element, as it allows the drone to operate with a high degree of autonomy in the phases of detection, identification and potential engagement of the target. The on-board thermal sensor is crucial for the detection of thermal signatures emitted by USVs, especially in conditions of poor visibility or during night hours.

The choice of a manual launch simplifies deployment operations, making the system potentially usable from different naval platforms or coastal stations without the need for complex launch infrastructures. The three-hour autonomy, although defined "with a small payload", suggests a balance between mission capability and size/weight of the drone, critical factors for a manual launch and for maneuverability in a maritime environment. Further developments could focus on increasing autonomy, integrating specific light weapon systems for the neutralization of Usvs and improving communication and data link capabilities with command and control units.

Below, the "CNN" video shows a Ukrainian Usv in action, to counter which Russia responds with the Fortuna-T: