The Hornet strike drone is capable of carrying a variety of warheads, with a maximum payload weight of approximately 4,5 kg. Analysis of wreckage photographed by Russian forces has so far revealed that four distinct warhead types are being used with the Hornet.
UR-U-95-4
The first warhead is the UR-U-95-4. Little public information is available on its exact specifications, but its designation indicates a 95 mm diameter HEAT-fragmentation warhead weighing about 4 kg.
The manufacturer uses a consistent design across its UR-U series: a cylindrical body with preformed fragments along part of the outer casing and a hemispherical shaped charge liner at the front. Based on the layout of the smaller UR-U-65-0,8 and UR-U-65-1,3, the UR-U-95-4 is expected to follow that same configuration.
2 differents UR-U-95-4 found on wreckage of hornet UAV
UR-95-1.5
The second warhead identified is the UR-95-1,5, also produced by the same manufacturer. As the name suggests, it has a 95 mm diameter and weighs roughly 1.4-1.5 kg. It uses a hemispherical shaped charge liner similar to the UR-U series, but lacks the preformed fragments of its heavier relative. This allows for a larger amount explosive filler, approximately 800 g, and its claimed penetration is said to be up to 130 mm of steel.
MOA-400
The third warhead is the MOA-400, a 4 kg general-purpose blast-fragmentation munition designed to engage enemy personnel and light vehicles. To date, Hornets have only been observed using MOA-400s manufactured in 2026. This is significant because production standards, more specifically the explosive filler, vary by year. It features features a cast iron body, which is both inexpensive to mass-produce and highly effective at generating fragments.
Unlike earlier MOA-400s produced between 2022 and 2024, the 2026 model uses AT-45 explosive (a mixture of 55% TNT and 45% ammonium nitrate). This composition is well-matched to the warheads cast iron casing, providing enough brisance to fully fragment the shell while remaining cheap and easy to produce.
BC-2500
The fourth warhead observed on the Hornet UAV is the BC-2500. Like the UR-U-95-4, it is a dual-purpose munition that combines a frontal shaped charge with lateral fragmentation elements.
The key difference lies in its use of lateral EFPs (Explosively Formed Penetrators) along the sides. This design enhances its anti-materiel capability against lightly armoured targets, however this comes at the expense of reduced fragmentation effect compared to blast-fragmentation or conventional dual purpose warheads such as those in the UR-U series.
The BC-2500 weighs 3 kg, has a 90 mm diameter, and is claimed to penetrate up to 100 mm of steel with its main shaped charge.
The Hornet UAV’s combat use is still relatively recent. So far, only the four warheads described above have been positively identified from wreckage.However, thanks to the drone’s highly modular design and its increasing operational tempo, it is very likely that many more types of ordnance will appear as payloads in the near future.