Raptor patrol boats: Russia's new defence against sea drones
Ukrainian sea drones have become a significant nuisance for the Russians as they are just beginning to learn how to handle such threats. One effective and relatively safe method involves using 03160 project patrol boats, known as Raptor. Here's an overview of what these boats are.
Ukrainian sea drones have effectively paralyzed the Russian Black Sea fleet, but they haven't successfully attacked any floating targets for months. It appears the Russians, after months of difficulties, have learned how to protect their ships in ports.
Russian methods of protection against sea drones
The Russians had little motivation to develop defenses against small "kamikaze" units in their navy as compared to the Americans, for whom the attack by a motorboat loaded with explosives on the docked USS Cole destroyer in the port of Aden was a major shock. This event led to the development of procedures and systems to prevent such incidents, which eventually spread to other NATO countries.
Meanwhile, the Russians had to quickly improvise based on existing resources after a series of setbacks. Initially, helicopters were used for defense against sea drones, but after losing several units, they opted to use multirole aircraft. However, these also experience losses due to anti-aircraft drones, making guidance by means such as a helicopter or airplane flying at a high altitude (out of range of short-range missiles) for intervention patrols on armed motorboats the best option.
In the recording below, you can see the Russian Raptor boat crew attempting to destroy a Ukrainian sea drone. Initially, they fire at it with a large-caliber machine gun, which seems ineffective, and then they use a single-use anti-tank grenade launcher.
It is also worth noting that despite the poor quality of the recording, the Ukrainian drone seems to be an anti-aircraft variant, as indicated by the long white object attached to its side, resembling a Vympel R-73 missile. It is not, therefore, a "kamikaze" model with a warhead of several hundred kilograms.
Russian Raptor motorboats
As reported by Wirtualna Polska journalist Łukasz Michalik, the Raptor boats were designed by Open JSC Pella shipyard and became part of the Russian navy in 2014. These fast boats can transport 20 soldiers, excluding the two-person crew, and are heavily armed.
They are equipped with a remotely controlled turret featuring a heavy machine gun of 14.5x114 mm caliber in the front, with the option to add a manned turret at the rear, as seen in the video. Additionally, there are two mounts on the stern for PKP Pecheneg machine guns of 7.62x54R mm caliber.
Situational awareness on these units is provided by an observation module with night and thermal vision capabilities, allowing the detection of targets at a distance of up to 3 kilometres. Protection is ensured by class 5 and 5A armour plates, and the bulletproof glass is approximately 4 centimetres thick. Such protection is effective against most small arms, but not against anti-tank missiles.
The boat's mobility is powered by an engine with about 2,000 horsepower, enabling speeds of up to 93 kilometres per hour. The fuel reserve allows for operations within a range of up to 185 kilometres from the operational base.
