Small Loitering Munition
Loitering MunitionThreat: HighOpen-Source Verified
Compact, man-portable loitering munition that can search for and engage targets autonomously or with operator guidance. Combines drone ISR with precision strike in a single system. Launched from a tube, loiters until target identified, then dives to attack.
Technical Specifications
range
10–70 km
speed
80–115 km/h
payload
1–10 kg (shaped charge or fragmentation)
endurance
20–60 min
frequency
Encrypted datalink + TV/IR seeker
cost Estimate
$20,000–$100,000
altitude
100–4,500 m
weight
5–25 kg (with launcher)
Tactical Roles
StrikeReconnaissance
Advantages
- + Man-portable — can be carried by infantry
- + Can loiter and search for targets
- + TV/IR terminal guidance enables precision strikes
- + Some variants offer wave-off / abort capability
- + Cost-effective vs high-value targets destroyed
Disadvantages
- − Limited warhead for heavy armor
- − Single-use munition
- − Vulnerable to EW during datalink phase
- − Limited endurance restricts loiter time
- − Weather affects optical/IR seeker
Real-World Usage
- ▸ ZALA Lancet-3 — Russian loitering munition used extensively in Ukraine
- ▸ Switchblade 300/600 — US man-portable supplied to Ukraine
- ▸ HERO-120 — Israeli loitering munition for anti-armor
- ▸ Warmate — Polish man-portable loitering munition
Counters This Drone
Countermeasures ranked by effectiveness — tap any system for details
Decoys / Signature ManagementHighRF Jamming SystemMediumGPS Spoofing / Navigation WarfareMediumLaser Directed Energy WeaponMediumCounter-UAS Radar SystemMediumAcoustic Detection SystemMediumInterceptor Drone (Drone-on-Drone)MediumCyber Takeover / Protocol ExploitationMediumDirectional EW Rifle / Jammer GunMediumC-UAS Autocannon / Dedicated AA GunMediumHigh-Power Microwave (HPM)MediumRF Detection / Spectrum AnalyzerMediumSmoke / Obscurant ScreenMediumAnti-Drone Laser DazzlerMediumLocalized EMP DeviceMediumShotgun / Small Arms InterceptLowMANPADS (Stinger/Igla class)LowMedium/Long-Range SAM SystemLowPhysical Overhead ProtectionLowNet Gun / Net LauncherNoneFiber-Optic Specific CountermeasuresNone
⚠ How This Drone Evades Defenses
Active adversary tactics — not passive limitations
- ▸ Saturation attacks (10+ simultaneous) overwhelm point defenses
- ▸ Low-cost airframe makes per-engagement economics favor attacker
- ▸ Terrain-following flight profile defeats long-range radar tracking