Today we are going to focus on an interesting term that has recently attracted attention in the defense and military spheres – the “rocket drone”. What is it, how does it differ from drones, conventional and cruise missiles, and why does this concept still remain rather controversial?
To do this, we will dive into the world of different types of modern aircraft and munitions. The variety of definitions, terms and categories can sometimes be confusing. Let’s take a look at ballistic and cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to get to the core meaning of the new term “rocket drone”.
The term “rocket drone” is not standardized and is rarely used in professional literature yet. The terms “loitering munition” or “unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a rocket accelerator” (Rocket powered UAV) are most often used. Therefore, the term “rocket drone” may be confused. Definitions of such systems vary widely and their exact position in the system may differ from source to source. The closest neighbors are the conventional missile (ballistic missile), the cruise missile, and the classic UAV.
It should be clarified here: the terms drone and UAV are often used interchangeably, but within the professional sphere, the division is based on the following principle: UAVs must have the ability to fly autonomously, while drones do not. This means that any UAV is a drone, but not vice versa.
In turn, the wording “cruise missile” occupies an intermediate position between ballistic missiles and UAVs, which can be perceived as a simplification. Cruise missiles are closer to UAVs than to ballistic missiles in terms of their aerodynamic characteristics and thrust principle. They fly in the atmosphere, using the lift of the wings, have a controlled trajectory and can bend around terrain.
So, let’s look at the main differences between the described systems.
- Type of movement and aerodynamics
Conventional missile (ballistic type). It flies primarily along a ballistic trajectory after an active acceleration phase, without relying on the lift of the wings.
Cruise missile. It has wings and uses a lift to maintain flight, similar to an airplane. The engine is usually a jet (turbojet or turbofan), which provides a long-controlled flight at low or medium altitudes. That is, the “wing structure” of such a missile is a key element.
UAV. Operates as an unmanned airplane or multicopter. Uses either a propeller (propeller) engine or electric motors with rotors (multicopters) to generate lift and maneuver. Most are designed for long hovers or low-speed flight rather than high speeds.
Rocket drone. It can use a rocket or combination engine, and if equipped with wings or holding surfaces*, it can maneuver and control flight, but the emphasis is more often on high speed, vertical launch, or specific tasks.
*Holding surfaces – a surface that creates aerodynamic lift due to the oncoming airflow.
- Navigation and control
Conventional missile (ballistic missile). Usually has a programmed flight profile with minimal adjustments after launch. This is true for classical ballistic missiles of early strategic or tactical models. However, modern ballistic missiles may have advanced navigation systems and are capable of performing atmospheric maneuvers in the final part of the trajectory, making their flight profile more complex than just a pre-programmed one.
Cruise missile. It is equipped with high-precision navigation equipment (GPS, inertial navigation, correlation with terrain), which allows it to fly at low altitude, bending around the terrain and avoiding detection by radar. The control can be autonomous without operator intervention after launch.
UAV. It is either remotely controlled by an operator (direct radio channel or satellite communication) or has a highly autonomous navigation and route planning system. It can be used for surveillance, reconnaissance, mapping, cargo delivery, etc.
Rocket drone. It involves either a more flexible, remote-control system or built-in AI, and can change application scenarios.
- Flight time and range
Conventional missile (ballistic missile). The active flight time is shorter, and the trajectory is mainly determined by the initial launch conditions and engine energy.
Cruise missile. It can fly for a long time over long distances (hundreds and thousands of kilometers) with constant trajectory control.
UAV. The range and flight time vary greatly depending on the class and size of the drone: from minutes (small quadcopters) to tens of hours (strategic or large reconnaissance UAVs).
Rocket drone. It can also be designed for short flights, but in general, like cruise missiles, it is specially optimized for long and controlled low-altitude flight.
- Application and resource
Conventional missile (ballistic missile). Often used for a quick strike on static targets (ballistic missiles) or for launching objects into orbit (space missiles). Disposable (combat and most space missiles, except for modern reusable stages in space launch vehicles).
Cruise missile. It is designed for precision, high-precision strikes against ground targets with a long range, while maintaining low visibility due to flight at low altitudes. As a rule, a disposable weapon system does not return to the operator.
UAV. A multifunctional platform: reconnaissance, surveillance, mapping, cargo delivery, search and rescue operations, agricultural tasks, and much more. Combat UAVs can carry weapons, but their basic principle is reusability and returnability, they can land, be serviced and reused unless they are a “kamikaze” type.
Rocket drone. It can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, target simulation, or targeted combat missions, combining the maneuvering and control capabilities of drones, but with the launch and acceleration characteristics of a missile. Usually, after detecting a target and attacking it, it is destroyed along with it.
- Examples
Conventional missile (ballistic missile). The simplest example is the Fau-2, the world’s first ballistic missile used by Germany in World War II.
Cruise missile. One of the most famous cruise missiles is the Tomahawk. It is used from sea and submarine carriers and is characterized by accuracy and long range.
UAV. There can be many examples that will be visually very different. This includes the MQ-1 Predator, the well-known Bayraktar TB2, Penguin C MK2, etc.
Rocket drone is a kind of “hybrid”: disposable like a munition, but capable of maneuvering and changing flight plans like a drone. It can stay in the target area for a long time, wait for the best moment to attack, and has flexible scenarios of use. It can use a rocket or combination engine, and if equipped with wings or other holding surfaces, it can maneuver and control flight. However, the emphasis is often on high-speed, vertical launch, flexible remote control, or embedded AI, and can change scenarios.
An example of a rocket drone is the Switchblade, a portable munition that is launched from a tube, controlled by an operator, and can patrol in the air for a long time to attack at a certain moment.
So are Ukrainian developments, which are known from open sources:
- “Peklo” is a Ukrainian long-range munition that is positioned by its developers as a rocket drone. The declared range is up to 700 km and the speed is up to 700 km/h. The munition has a jet engine and combines the features of kamikaze drones and cruise missiles.
- “Palianytsia” is a long-range rocket drone made in Ukraine. It is assumed that the Palyanytsia is a maneuverable drone with a powerful warhead and turbojet engine. It is launched from a ground-based installation.
Thus, each of these types of vehicles has its role and features. Ballistic missiles provide a quick strike, cruise missiles provide precise strikes at long range, UAVs perform a wide range of tasks, and rocket drones fill the niche between cruise missiles and drones, providing flexibility in choosing the time and method of attack.
In the future, the development of autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and new engines will further blur the lines between these categories. But we can already see that a variety of weapons and surveillance systems are tools of modern warfare and security that are constantly being improved.
