Russia's Rostec Unveils 'Lightning 13' Drone with 2,200 Monthly Sorties
Russian defense conglomerate Rostec has officially revealed the Lightning 13, the latest variant in its Molniya drone series. The platform offers a 50 km operational range, 13 kg payload capacity, and a top speed of approximately 120 km/h. Open-source intelligence estimates Molniya series monthly sortie rates at 2,000–2,200 by end of 2025, reportedly surpassing the well-known Lancet loitering munition. The interceptor variant Lightning P (Molniya-10) was also unveiled at the same event.
Highlights
- Rostec officially unveiled the Lightning 13 drone in May 2026, featuring a 50 km range, 13 kg payload capacity, and a top speed of approximately 120 km/h.
- The Lightning 13 carries 3 kg more payload than its predecessor Molniya-2, thanks to a larger airframe and four electric motors.
- Russia's Molniya drone series reached an estimated 2,000–2,200 monthly sorties by end of 2025, reportedly surpassing the Lancet loitering munition in deployment frequency.
- Rostec simultaneously revealed the Lightning P (Molniya-10), an interceptor variant designed to engage airborne targets within the Molniya platform family.
- Rostec officially markets the Lightning series as a civilian-derived platform for reconnaissance and cargo transport, despite the unveiled interceptor variant indicating significant military applications.
Russia's Rostec Unveils 'Lightning 13' Drone with Over 2,200 Monthly Sorties
Russian defense industrial conglomerate Rostec has officially revealed the latest variant in its Molniya (Lightning) series — the Lightning 13 — showcasing significant upgrades in payload capacity and flight performance across the platform.
Lightning 13: Key Specifications
The Lightning 13's primary technical parameters are as follows:
- Operational radius: Up to 50 km
- Payload capacity: 13 kg
- Maximum speed: Approximately 120 km/h
Compared to its predecessor, the Molniya-2, the Lightning 13 features a larger airframe and four electric motors, increasing payload capacity from 10 kg to 13 kg. According to available documentation, the new drone made its first official public appearance in May 2026.
Interceptor Variant Lightning P Also Revealed
Alongside the Lightning 13, Rostec simultaneously unveiled the Lightning P interceptor drone, also designated Molniya-10 or the Molniya air-defense variant. This model is specifically designed to engage airborne targets and serves as the dedicated air-defense version within the broader Lightning family.
Rostec officially positions the Lightning series as a "civilian derivative" of the Molniya platform, with stated use cases including reconnaissance, cargo transport, and other non-combat missions. However, the public reveal of an interceptor variant underscores the system's considerable military potential.
Deployment Scale Now Exceeds Lancet Loitering Munition
According to open-source intelligence data through end of 2025, the operational footprint of Russia's Molniya drone series has expanded significantly. Monthly sortie estimates now stand at 2,000 to 2,200 sorties, reportedly surpassing Russia's better-known Lancet loitering munition — making the Molniya series one of the most heavily deployed drone platforms in the Russian military's inventory.
Source
This report is based on official releases from Rostec.
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