The "RAM" is a Ukrainian designed, developed, and produced loitering munition in active use in the Russo-Ukrainian War (2022-Present). Loitering munitions have growing importance since the start of the conflict, giving warplanners all around the world a vision into the near-future battlefield. Loitering munitions are relatively inexpensive expendable assets which can directly target ground elements through near-precision strikes. The drone is used up in the attack process - hence its categorization.
Company material suggests that the RAM is a further evolution of the Leleka-100 series drone.
The RAM can fly for up to 55 minutes or out to 18 miles (30km) while carrying an explosive warhead weighing 6.6lb (3kg). Accuracy is within 3.3 feet (1 meter) of detonation site. Overall weight of the complete unit is 17.6lb (8kg) making it manageable by a single operator.
With a wingspan of 7.55 feet (2.3 meters), the aircraft can reach cruising speeds of 44 miles-per-hour (70kmh). Take-off Is via simple catapult assembly and time-to-flight is just 10 minutes of preparation.
The arrangement of this aircraft is conventional and utilitarian. The optics set is positioned at the nose on a traversable mounting to provide for the needed eyes-in-the-skies. The fuselage is cylindrical and "missile-like" in its general shape, the tail capped by a single rudder fin with low-set horizontal plane assembly. The mainplanes are positioned over the fuselage and are of a straight, clipped tip design. Power is from a pusher-mounted engine driving a two-bladed propeller unit.
The RAM is designed with modularity in mind, capable of mounting three distinct warhead types to suit the mission need. This includes standard types such as High-Explosive, FRAGmentation (HE-FRAG) for use against unprotected infantry and High-Explosive, Anti-Tank (HEAT) to counter armored / covered targets. Still more is the ability to mount specialized warheads like Thermobaric which can be used against "soft" targets (namely infantry) under or behind cover.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
✓Close-Air Support (CAS)
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
✓Maritime / Navy
Land-based or shipborne capability for operating over-water in various maritime-related roles while supported by allied naval surface elements.
✓Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
✓Unmanned Capability
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.
PUSHER-PROP
Design incorporates rear-facing pusher-prop arrangement, a contrast to the more conventional puller-prop layout.
ALL-ELECTRIC
Design utilizes an all-electric powerplant for drive power.
RUGGED AIRFRAME
Inherent ability of airframe to take considerable damage.
MARITIME OPERATION
Ability to operate over ocean in addition to surviving the special rigors of the maritime environment.
UNMANNED OPERATION
Design features ability to fly sans pilot, actions controlled onboard through programming and / or ground-based operator.
CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Payload supports photographic equipment providing still and / or real-time image / video results.
Width/Span
7.5 ft (2.30 m)
Empty Wgt
11 lb (5 kg)
MTOW
18 lb (8 kg)
Wgt Diff
+7 lb (+3 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the RAM production variant)
monoplane / high-mounted / straight
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.
High-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted at the upper-most position allowable along the dorsal line of the fuselage.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the RAM production variant)
Installed:
1 x Electrical powerplant driving two-bladed propeller unit at rear of fuselage in pusher arrangement.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the RAM production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
1 x 6.6lb (3kg) warhead payload.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 0
RAM - Base Series Designation.
RAM II - Variant.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
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Image from official RAM UAV marketing materials; video capture.
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