Russia is making a new kind of Frankenstein weapon

It's a remote-controlled drone missile launcher
A weird Russian Frankenstein weapon system
Video of the new missile launcher drone
Mounted on a mobile platform
Ukraine has developed similar weapons
An example of a Ukrainian weapon
Developed to hunt armored vehicles
What is the 9M133 Kornet?
Useful against a wide range of targets
What is the Varan platform?
Compatible with any ground platform
The Varan is a useful machine
It's a remote-controlled drone missile launcher

The Russian Armed Forces installed a man-portable anti-tank guided missile system on a tracked drone platform according to video footage published online. 

A weird Russian Frankenstein weapon system

The Ukrainian military news website reported on the weird Russian Frankenstein device and noted that the weapon has some very peculiar capabilities. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @bmpd_cast

Video of the new missile launcher drone

Based on the images, the bizarre Russian weapon comprises a remote-controlled turret with three Korent man-portable missile systems fixed to a Varan unmanned platform.  

Photo Credit: Telegram @bmpd_cast

Mounted on a mobile platform

“The turret can operate separately in stationary mode and can be mounted on a mobile platform if necessary,” Militarnyi explained about the weapon. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @bmpd_cast

Ukraine has developed similar weapons

It appears the weapon can be controlled by wire or radio. Militarnyi noted that Ukrainian engineers have been creating similar weapons with off-the-shelf parts.  

Photo Credit: Telegram @bmpd_cast

An example of a Ukrainian weapon

One example of a hybrid Ukrainian unmanned weapon is the ShabRys system. It has a ShaBlia machine gun turret mounted atop a Rys wheeled drone platform.

Photo Credit: X @CharityPrytula
Developed to hunt armored vehicles

The Russian Frankenstein weapon seen in recent images was likely developed to hunt and destroy armored vehicles without risking a soldier’s life based on its weapons. 

What is the 9M133 Kornet?

The 9M133 Kornet is an anti-tank missile system designed to be carried by troops into battle to provide support against armored vehicles according to Army Recognition. 

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons By Mil.ru, CC BY 4.0

Useful against a wide range of targets

Army Recognition also noted that the Korent can be used against fortification as well as low-flying air targets. The Kornet can be used in all weather conditions and at night. 

What is the Varan platform?

The other half of the new weapon, its Varan unmanned platform, is likely one of many available options Russia is using to make the system according to Defense Express. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @bmpd_cast

Compatible with any ground platform

“In principle, this combat module can be installed on any other compatible ground-based robotic system,” Defense Express explained about the Kornet missile launcher turret. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @bmpd_cast

The Varan is a useful machine

The Varan unmanned platform entered service in 2024 after battlefield testing and has a production rate of 300 per year. It can carry a 200 kilograms (440 pounds) payload. and an operation range of 4 kilometers (2.4 miles).

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Photo Credit: Telegram @froboticsru

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