CapabilityRU milblogger

Russia expends Rassvet satellite terminals one-way on Molniya strike drones for GPS-independent guidance

Published 18 October 2026

A Russian military engineer reports that Rassvet satellite communication terminals are being fitted to Molniya strike drones as expendable one-way guidance links, accepting the terminal’s cost per sortie in exchange for satellite-relay control that bypasses GPS jamming. The author questions the choice of Molniya — assessed as carrying a high intercept rate from Ukrainian counter-drone operations — over lower-intercept alternatives such as Dan-T or the Geran Seeker variant, where the per-terminal cost could be better justified. The disclosure reflects a broader Russian push to field satellite-independent navigation as GPS denial intensifies.

Pictures from the cited posts

Sources — 1 post

Русский инженер (Russian Engineer) adversary17 Oct 2026 Open the post

Topicsdrones components

Related findings

← Latest findings · All findings from October 2026