| Kub-BLA | |
| Origin: | Russian Federation |
| Type: | Loitering munition |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Explosive: | yes |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Used By: | Russian Armed Forces |
| Designer: | ZALA Aero Group |
| Manufacturer: | ZALA Aero Group |
| Production Date: | 2019-present[1] |
| Payload Capacity: | 3 kg |
| Speed: | 130 km/h |
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).
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.[2] "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.[3]
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.[4] In May 2022 footage of an attack on a M777 howitzer by a Kub drone was posted by the Russian Ministry of Defence.[5]
According to Lostarmour OSINT project, there have been at least 44 documented uses of Kub drones as of December 2023.[6]
Specifications:[7]