Russia has presented its latest solution for defending naval crews from uncrewed surface vessels (USVs): a floating platform armed with a remotely operated machine gun.
Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko shared a first look at the “Plot-40” experimental fire support prototype, which he said could also protect naval bases and coastal ports from drone attacks.
Images show a pontoon-like structure with an open deck supporting the platform’s gun, while an enclosed section at the bottom could potentially accommodate personnel or tactical equipment.
Plot-40 is envisioned for extended deployments at sea, serving as a protected surveillance and fire support post for Russian forces.
Technical details about the platform, including its total displacement, remain undisclosed. Developers have also yet to confirm whether it will feature AI-assisted targeting or require personnel onboard to support weapon operations.
“After analyzing enemy attacks, it became clear that [the Plot-40] was essential to strengthen defenses from the water,” Drozdenko wrote on social media.
A Leningrad-Made Solution
According to Drozdenko, Plot-40 has already received initial approval from Russia’s Naval Research Institute following recent sea trials involving other unmanned attack and reconnaissance boats.
The fire support platform will be produced entirely in Leningrad, with the governor claiming the capability is a first of its kind in Russia.
“Our engineers, designers, and production workers don’t wait for ready-made solutions; they propose technologies that can improve the country’s security,” Drozdenko said.
“This is precisely how the Leningrad Region’s national military-industrial complex is developing today: quickly, proactively, and with an understanding of real-world challenges.”
