In May we had a report that the Ukrainians had equipped at least one USV with R-73 IR homing Air to Air missile.

Now The War Zone reports that Ukraine has claimed one of their Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) had shot down a Russian Mi-8 Helicopter and damaged a second using this missile.

This is reportedly the first time in history a USV has destroyed an aircraft.

Helicopters have been one of the Russia’s most effective weapons against USVs. Ukraine seems to have found a counter.

This is a cautionary tale for anyone who expects to use helicopters against USVs.

Perhaps more importantly, it is also a demonstration that even the smallest marine platforms can have an AAW missile system. (The MAGURA V5 USV is only 5.5 meter (18 feet)-long.) The US developed AIM-9 Sidewinder is the Counterpart of the R-73 (NATO designation AA-11 Archer) and could be used in the same way. The AIM-9 also has a proven anti-surface capability making these weapons doubly useful.