Ukraine's dragon drones unleash unstoppable thermite fury
In recent weeks, Ukrainians have begun using dragon drones to target Russian forces. These drones are effective in destroying exposed trenches and can be operated by skilled pilots to "clear" concrete bunkers of enemy troops. Here, we'll explain how this is achieved.
12:09 PM EDT, October 5, 2024
Dragon drones are a new tool for Ukrainians, utilizing thermite as the destructive agent. Thermite is capable of burning through virtually anything it comes into contact with. While controversial, this weapon is allowed under certain circumstances.
Previously, dragon drones were deployed to strike Russian positions within tree lines. They are being used with remarkable precision to deliver thermite bomblets directly into concrete bunkers. In one instance, an FPV drone pilot successfully navigated the interior of a concrete bunker, releasing a thermite charge inside. The result is catastrophic for any Russian soldiers present.
Dragon drones — there is no protection against thermite
The destructive power of dragon drones stems from their use of thermite, a substance well-known in welding and historically used in incendiary weapons during World War II. Thermite is composed of powdered aluminum and iron oxide (rust), ignited by a material like magnesium. It requires a temperature of about 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit to ignite.
Once ignited, thermite burns at temperatures exceeding 5,432 degrees Fahrenheit. This chemical reaction is extremely violent, scattering molten metal throughout the immediate vicinity. Another key characteristic of thermite is that it cannot be doused by cutting off its access to oxygen, as oxygen is a part of its chemical structure.
Moreover, attempting to extinguish burning thermite with water can lead to dangerous outcomes. Water molecules break into hydrogen and oxygen at such high temperatures, creating a potentially explosive mixture. As a result, the safest approach is to allow the thermite to burn itself out, although it may have penetrated thick, reinforced concrete by this time.
Depending on the mission, Ukrainians use ceramic welding buckets suspended under drones or thermite bomblets, which are derived from the incendiary warheads of cluster munitions. The ZAB-2.5T bomblets, found in some types of RBK aerial bombs, are one example of such payloads.
