Lancet-3

The Lancet-3 is a Russian electro-optically guided loitering munition developed by ZALA Aero, a subsidiary of the Kalashnikov Group, and has emerged as one of the most effective precision anti-armor and anti-aircraft weapons of the Ukraine war. With a distinctive X-wing configuration on both nose and tail, the Lancet uses a TV/optical seeker to track targets autonomously once cued by an operator. It is typically cued by a companion ZALA 421-16E5 reconnaissance drone which designates targets for the Lancet's electro-optical terminal guidance — a man-in-the-loop engagement that provides precision without expensive satellite navigation.

The Lancet-3 variant carries a 3 kg shaped-charge warhead and has an advertised range of 40 km, though it is operationally used at shorter ranges with loiter times up to 40 minutes. Ukrainian open-source analysts have documented hundreds of confirmed kills against artillery systems (M777s, Panzerhaubitze 2000, CAESAR), HIMARS launchers, air defense components, and armored vehicles. Russia has reportedly ramped production dramatically, with monthly output estimated at 500–1,000 units by mid-2024.