Mugin UAV Mugin

Mugin
Mini Mugin H-Tail "Apollo" of Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. This aircraft has been modified with a pitot tube and an electric motor.
General information
Type	Unmanned aerial vehicle
National origin	China
Manufacturer	Mugin UAV
Primary users	Russian Armed Forces Armed Forces of Ukraine Nigerian Air Force

The Mugin is a series of twin-boom fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles built by Mugin UAV in China. The Mugin gained notoriety during the Russo-Ukrainian War, in which both sides used the drone for various purposes.

Operational history

In November 2021, Somali security forces seized six Mugin-2s imported from Turkey over fears that they were intended to be used in a attacks. ^[1]

The Mugin saw use by both Russian and Ukrailian forces during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In February 2023, Ukrainian soldiers shot down what appeared to be a Mugin-4 carrying an OF-62 high-explosive fragmentation projectile. ^{[2] [3]} In March 2023, soldiers of the 111th Territorial Defense Brigade shot down a Russian Mugin-5 Pro with AK-47s. The soldiers had been alerted to the launch of the drone by agents in Russian-occupied territory and later found it flying at a low altitude. An examination of the downed drone revealed that it was likely intended to be used as a loitering munition as it was filled with approximately 44 lb (20 kg) of explosives, which were subsequently safely detonated by the Ukrainian soldiers. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Ukrainian forces reportedly used Mugin-5 drones presumably for surveillance inside Russian-occupied territory. ^[8] Ukrainian Mugin-5s were also used in an attack on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol in August 2022, and were speculated to have been used in the Kremlin drone attack in May 2023. ^{[9] [10]}

In response to the military use of its drones, Mugin UAV released a statement in March 2023 condemning such use and stated that they had ceased all sales to Russia and Ukraine. ^{[4] [11]}

Variants

Mini Mugin H-Tail

Mugin V-Tail with its payload cover removed beside a DJI Phantom 4

Mini Mugin

Conventional takeoff variant with a 2,600 mm (8.5 ft) wingspan. Built in both "H-Tail" (twin tail) and "V-Tail" (inverted V-tail) configurations and intended for 20-35cc gasoline engine. ^[12]

Mugin-2 Pro

VTOL variant with a 2,930 mm (9.61 ft) wingspan, an "H-Tail" configuration, and powered by either an electric motor or gasoline engine. ^[13]

Mugin-3

Variant with a 3,220 mm (10.56 ft) or 3,600 mm (11.8 ft) wingspan and powered by a DLE60 engine. The 3,220 mm variant is built in a conventional takeoff "V-Tail" configuration, while the 3,600 mm variant has been built in both conventional and VTOL configurations, both with an "H-Tail". ^{[14] [15] [16] [17]} In March 2019, the material of the VTOL variant was changed from wood to fiberglass, reducing the drone's weight from 14.6 kg (32 lb) to 13 kg (29 lb). ^[17]

Mugin-3 Pro

Variant of the Mugin-3 with a carbon fiber construction. Built in two versions; a 3,220 mm (10.56 ft) wingspan "V-Tail" conventional takeoff variant and a 3,600 mm (11.8 ft) wingspan "V-Tail" VTOL variant. ^{[18] [19]}

Mugin-4

Conventional takeoff variant with a 4,500 mm (14.8 ft) wingspan. ^[20]

Mugin-4 Pro

VTOL variant of the Mugin-4 with a carbon fiber construction. Built in two versions; one with a 4,720 mm (15.49 ft) wingspan and a "2023 Edition" with a 4,000 mm (13 ft) wingspan. ^{[21] [22] [23]}

Mugin-5 Pro

Variant with a 5,000 mm (16 ft) wingspan and a carbon fiber construction. Built in three versions; a conventional takeoff variant, a VTOL variant with four lift motors, and a VTOL variant with eight lift motors. ^{[24] [25] [26] [27]}

Mugin-6 Pro

Variant with a 6,000 mm (20 ft) wingspan and a carbon fiber construction. Built in two versions; a conventional takeoff variant, and a VTOL variant. The conventional landing variant features disc brakes. ^[28]

Mugin EV350

Electric VTOL variant with a 3,500 mm (11.5 ft) wingspan. ^[29]

Mugin EV350M

Aerial mapping variant of the Mugin EV350. ^[30]

Mugin EV460

Electric VTOL variant with a 4,600 mm (15.1 ft) wingspan. ^[31]

Operators

  Nigeria

• The 401st Flying Training School of the Nigerian Air Force has used the Mugin for training purposes. ^[32] The school temporarily ceased operations with the Mugin in 2017 due to a lack of spare parts, but resumed operations in June 2019. ^{[33] [34]}

  Russia

• The Russian Armed Forces has used the Mugin as a loitering munition during its invasion of Ukraine. ^{[2] [4] [5]}

  Ukraine

• The Armed Forces of Ukraine has used the Mugin-5 for surveillance and as a loitering munition during the Russia invasion. ^{[9] [8] [10]}

Specifications (Mugin-5 Pro VTOL, eight lift motors)

Data from Mugin UAV ^[27]

General characteristics

• Capacity: 25 kg (55 lb)
• Length: 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 5 m (16 ft 5 in)
• Width: 0.375 m (1 ft 3 in) (fuselage) ^[24]
• Height: 0.99 m (3 ft 3 in)
• Wing area: 2.615 m² (28.15 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 34 kg (75 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 100 kg (220 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 30 L (7.9 US gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × DLE 222 gasoline engine (recommended)
• Powerplant: 8 × T-motor V13 electric VTOL motors (recommended)
• Propellers: 2-bladed forward propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 144 km/h (89 mph, 78 kn)
• Cruise speed: 126 km/h (78 mph, 68 kn)
• Stall speed: 86.4 km/h (53.7 mph, 46.7 kn)
• Range: 800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi)
• Endurance: 7 hours

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• HESA Shahed 136
• NASC TigerShark XP

References

1. Hummel, Kristina (2025-03-28). "On the Horizon: The Ukraine War and the Evolving Threat of Drone Terrorism". Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
2. "Russia Is Buying and Weaponizing Cheap Drones From Chinese Websites". Popular Mechanics. 2023-02-17. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
3. Helfrich, Emma (2023-03-02). "Our Best Look At Ukraine's Shadowy 'Alibaba Drone' Used For Long-Range Strikes". The War Zone. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
4. Wright, Rebecca; Watson, Ivan; Konovalova, Olha; Booth, Tom (2023-03-16). "Exclusive: Chinese-made drone, retrofitted and weaponized, downed in eastern Ukraine". CNN. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
5. "Chinese Drone With Western Electronic Components Shot Down Over Ukraine's East | Defense Express". en.defence-ua.com. March 17, 2023. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
6. "Chinese Mugin-5 "Weaponized" Commercial Drone Shot Down in Ukraine". www.defensemirror.com. March 17, 2023. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
7. "CNN: Ukraine downs China-manufactured drone in Donetsk region". Novaya Gazeta Europe. 2023-03-16. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
8. "UAV and AI update". GPS World. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
9. "21.1 - King - Urban Warfare in Ukraine". www.canada.ca. 2024-10-30. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
10. Coles, Isabel (2024-04-29). "Ukraine Bets on Long-Range Drones, Raising Costs of War for Russia". WSJ. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
11. "Statement on Military Use of Mugin UAV Platforms". Mugin UAV. 2023-03-02. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
12. "Mini Mugin 2600mm Carbon Fiber H-tail/V-tail UAV Platform". Mugin UAV. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
13. "Mugin-2 Pro Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". odin.tradoc.army.mil. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
14. "Mugin-3 Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". odin.tradoc.army.mil. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
15. "Mugin-3 3220mm UAV V-Tail Platform Frame Kit". Mugin UAV. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
16. "Mugin-3 3600mm H-tail UAV Platform". Mugin UAV. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
17. "Mugin-3 3600 Fiberglass Version Released". Mugin UAV. 2019-03-20. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
18. "Mugin-3 Pro 3600mm Full Carbon Fiber VTOL UAV". Mugin UAV. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
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21. "Mugin-4 Pro 4720mm H-Tail Carbon Fiber VTOL". Mugin UAV. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
22. "Mugin-4 Pro 4000mm H Tail Full Carbon Fiber VTOL UAV Platform - 2023 Edition". Mugin UAV. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
23. "Mugin-4 Pro Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". odin.tradoc.army.mil. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
24. "Mugin-5 Pro Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". odin.tradoc.army.mil. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
25. "Mugin-5 Pro 5000mm Carbon Fiber UAV Platform". Mugin UAV. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
26. "Mugin-5 Pro 5000mm Super Large VTOL UAV Platform". Mugin UAV. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
27. "Mugin-5 Pro 5000mm VTOL UAV Platform with 8 Motor Mounts". Mugin UAV. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
28. "Mugin-6 Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". odin.tradoc.army.mil. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
29. "Mugin EV350 Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". odin.tradoc.army.mil. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
30. "Looking for Worldwide Distributors for EV350M Mapping Drones". Mugin UAV. 2022-04-01. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
31. "Mugin EV460 Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". odin.tradoc.army.mil. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
32. Africa, Military (2020-10-28). "Nigerian military drones (UAV) – a complete list". Military Africa. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
33. Ports, Ships & (2017-07-13). "Nigeria Air Force resumes training of students on drones". Ships & Ports. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
34. Gettinger, Dan (October 2019). "The Drone Databook" (PDF). Bard College . Retrieved 3 October 2024.