New Russian Navy ‘Murena’ Maritime Drone Shown With Possible StarlinkRussian defense shows are known for the concept designs and models of boats and submarines which rarely get built. The current climate the market seems particularly challenging for them. Now Russian defense companies are emulating the Ukrainian and building uncrewed surface vessels. One new type appears to have a Starlink antenna.
The war in the Black Sea has been shaped, maybe even defined, by maritime drones. So far it has been a Ukrainian dominated arena, with Russia lagging behind Ukraine in the adoption of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). Now Russia appears to be slowly entering the game with increasingly credible designs.
The latest type, the Murena-300S appears generally comparable with Ukrainian types. And more significantly, it appears to have a Starlink antenna.
The Murena (Moray Eel) is approximately the same size as the Ukrainian Magura V5 and Sea Navy designs. According to specifications shared at the Army-2024 defense show it has a top speed of 45 knots. It has a range of 500 km, but appears intended for inshore missions more than open water operations. The producer, LLC KB Center for Unmanned Systems, advertises it for Defense of Naval facilities, mine laying, mine clearance, patrolling and reconnaissance. It is also supposed to perform fire support of ground operations from the sea. Realistically its claimed 500kg payload could translate into a large explosive charge.
The vessel has a simple metal semi-planing powerboat hull similar to the classic Soviet-era ‘Progress’ series. This is combined with a relatively low profile superstructure. Unlike most, but not all, Ukrainian designs it has an outboard motor. There are some signs that the vessel displayed is crudely constructed. It is unclear whether this is straightforward poor workmanship, or simply an expediency for a one-way vessel. This may make it more vulnerable to defensive gunfire. USV combat is not a beauty contest.
The Starlink Link
Starlink satellite communications have played an important part in enabling Ukrainian drones to operate so effectively. Along with the rival Kymeta system, it allows the drones to be controlled in real time. This has permitted a human-in-the-loop approach to attacking enemy ships, with the pilot ashore literally guiding the USV into the target. This has only been possible thanks to the data rate and reliability of these systems.
The apparent Starlink antenna on the Murena-300S has been hidden under camouflage netting but its distinctive shape is evident. The corners of the square antenna are also just visible in photographs from the event.
Russian troops can purchase Starlink abroad with numbers of terminals acquired on the open market. Since its use by Russian troops came to light earlier this year, the Pentagon teamed up with SpaceX, who make it, to block Russia from using it. How effective this will be remains to be seen. Certainly the inclusion of an antenna on the vessel suggests that it isn’t entirely written off.
Possibly the antenna is for a different satellite network, or possibly it is only a prop intended as a ruse. However, while the manufacturer doesn’t call out the Starlink, it does claim “On-line Interference-proof GNSS” which fits. As well as this, the USV is advertised as having an inertial navigation system (INS), electrooptical sensors, infrared thermal imaging and LIDAR.
Russian companies have designed a number of USVs in response to Ukraine’s. The most credible so far has been the BBKN Dandelion which is similar in size and role to the Murena. The two types appear similar in capabilities. But if the Russians can successfully employ Starlink then the Murena will clearly have the edge.
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