Today, we continue our series on the best Ukrainian military drones. Currently, Ukrainian defenders are receiving a variety of both civilian and military drones, from foreign manufacturers as well as domestic companies. Given the wide range of commercial models available to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, this publication will focus on the most widely used drones and those whose applications have generated the most significant impact. In the first part of our review, we covered some of the interesting drones in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, all developed by Ukrainian manufacturers. Today, we continue our series by highlighting other notable developments from Ukrainian producers in the field of drones.
Read also: Best Ukrainian Military UAVs, Part 1: Reconnaissance and Targeting
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The “Valkyrie” drone is a Ukrainian development designed in 2015 by the company “Aviation Systems of Ukraine.” Similar devices are widely used by our defenders. The UAV is equipped with technology for monitoring, aerial reconnaissance, video surveillance, and artillery fire correction, both day and night. These drones are primarily used to enhance command and operational efficiency.
The “Valkyrie” is an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle weighing 4 kg with a fixed wing. It can operate within a radius of 34 km from the launch point. Its autonomous flight time is 2 hours, with a maximum speed of nearly 110 km/h and a flight altitude of 2 km.
The drone is capable of taking off and landing from the launcher, making it highly maneuverable and suited for operations in challenging terrain. It is equipped with an advanced autopilot system and open-source software running on hardware platforms like Mission Planner, ArduPilot, and Pixhawk.
The ASU-1 system includes two Valkyrie drones, equipment for day and night flights, a secure ground control station, an antenna array, and other specialized gear. The drone is equipped with 4K cameras, thermal imaging devices, and gyrostabilized platforms.
Notable features include fully automated takeoff, landing, and mission execution, making it user-friendly for operators. The ASU-1 Valkyrie system has a variety of applications, including both military and reconnaissance operations. Its maneuverability and capability for remote surveillance allow it to gather intelligence, conduct monitoring missions, and detect and track potential threats in the field.
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The mysterious UAV UJ-26 “Beaver” first gained attention after successful attacks on Russian oil refineries, but it became especially well-known following the strike on Moscow. That May night left a lasting impression on the Russians.
Based on available information, the development of the “Beaver” began last year. The possible customer for this technology could be the Main Intelligence Directorate. The work and production of the UAVs were carried out by the company “UkrJet.” It is known that the project was funded not only by the ordering organization but also with 20 million UAH raised by volunteers.
The first details about the loitering munition UJ-26 “Beaver” emerged in May 2022. At that time, photos of the aircraft were released, designed using a “duck” aerodynamic configuration. This design is believed to help the UAV maneuver and avoid areas covered by air defense systems.
The UJ-26 “Beaver” is equipped with an internal combustion engine located at the rear of the fuselage. The UAV has a flight range of 800-1000 km and a maximum speed of 200 km/h. Weighing approximately 150 kg, it can stay airborne for up to 7 hours. The reported cost of one drone is around $108,000.
Many analysts and experts compare this UAV to the Shahed 136. Indeed, they are quite similar in many ways, though there are also significant differences. The drone is equipped only with an autopilot that allows it to fly along a pre-set route to a specified point. Navigation is managed through satellite signals, and it lacks any systems for target detection at the final stage of the flight. It is also likely that communication with the operator is not planned.
It is probable that the navigation system includes both satellite and inertial components. Military analysts point to the presence of an air pressure sensor, which measures the drone’s speed and altitude, as evidence of this. Such a system helps to reduce the effectiveness of Russian electronic warfare measures, as the drone will continue on its planned route even without satellite navigation. However, this might reduce the accuracy of the strike.
The “Beaver” loitering munition is equipped with an integrated warhead that impacts the target through direct descent. It uses the standard Soviet-designed KZ-6 engineering charge as its warhead. The KZ-6 charge weighs 3 kg and contains up to 1.8 kg of the explosive substance TG-40. It is known that the KZ-6 can penetrate up to 210 mm of armor or up to 550 mm of reinforced concrete.
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The UAV “Lutiy” was quickly dubbed a weapon of revenge, as Ukraine uses it to target Russian factories and airfields. Notably, this drone is relatively new and the largest of Ukraine’s long-range UAVs. Although it has been used to strike Russian refineries and oil depots in 2024, it also participated in an attack on the Engels Air Base in Saratov Oblast (home to Engels-2) in March of this year.
The first news of Ukroboronprom’s work on the long-range drone emerged in the fall of 2022. While the developers kept many details under wraps, they intrigued everyone with a few key facts. They announced that they were developing a drone with a flight range of 1,000 km and a warhead weight of 75 kg.
We now know more details about the UAV “Lutiy.” Its design somewhat resembles the Turkish “Bayraktar” and the well-known Ukrainian drone AN BK-1 “Gorlytsia,” although it is smaller than both. The drone has a length of 4.4 meters, a wingspan of 6.7 meters, and a total weight of up to 300 kg. The warhead weighs up to 50 kg, and the flight range is up to 1,000 km. The estimated cost is around $200,000.
The UAV “Lutiy” is controlled using an inertial navigation system, with flight corrections possible through satellite communication. Some experts even speculate that the drone might be equipped with a system similar to DSMAC, but with more advanced modern processors than those used in missiles. DSMAC, or Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation, is a digital image correction system that compares terrain images obtained during the final flight phase with digital target characteristics. This might explain why “Lutiy” is so precise in its attacks.
The longest recorded operational range of “Lutiy” is 1,352 km. It is unique among Ukrainian drones and offers several significant advantages, including high resistance to electronic warfare (EW) countermeasures, a convenient airframe design, and the capability to adjust its altitude during flight to match the terrain.
A key feature of the “Lutiy” is its precision. Specifically, when attacking oil refineries, this drone typically targets small columns used for separating liquid mixtures with different boiling points. This makes it a deadly weapon in the hands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
We first heard about the long-range drone “Sich” in May 2023, when the charitable organization “Come Back Alive” shared information about it. Initially presented as a long-range reconnaissance UAV, “Sich” is indeed one of the best in its class. Its major advantage is its ability to conduct strategic reconnaissance deep into enemy territory. The manufacturers boasted that their drone can cover a distance of up to 200 km while providing high-resolution imagery.
The reconnaissance complex consists of two drones, a catapult for launching the UAV, and a mobile control station. Information about other characteristics has not been disclosed by the manufacturer at this time.
However, Ukrainian engineers later modified the “Sich” for destroying Russian equipment. It is now known that during combat missions, the GUR operators and special forces have used the “Sich” to destroy Russian equipment and weaponry worth over $100 million. The GUR has noted that among the “trophies” of this UAV are valuable and critical items such as the R-330Zh “Zhitel” jamming station.
In strike mode, the “Sich” can operate at a range of up to 50 km behind enemy lines. Specialists highlight its resilience to enemy electronic warfare (EW) systems. This is due to the fact that the UAV is equipped with additional protection systems that make it less vulnerable to enemy electronic warfare measures.
The SkyKnight 2 drone, developed by a Ukrainian company for targeting enemy personnel and equipment, is capable of carrying a payload of 2.5 kg. It received approval for use from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in November 2023. This drone is employed in a “kamikaze” mode to strike targets or by dropping its payload on a target during controlled maneuvers. The SkyKnight 2 can optionally be equipped with a mesh network module and a specialized flight core with an AI module.
This classic quadcopter design features a dual rotor at the end of each arm. The front-mounted sensor is accompanied by a camera, and the high-capacity batteries are mounted externally. The simplicity of its design and the use of standard components make assembling this UAV quite fast, which facilitates mass production.
The maximum payload capacity of the drone is 2.5 kg. The SkyKnight 2 is both fast and powerful while remaining relatively quiet.
The SkyKnight’s payload allows it to inflict greater damage than grenades weighing no more than 300-800 grams, which many other UAVs used by the Ukrainian forces can carry. This drone is designed for targeting both stationary and moving objectives, such as armored personnel carriers, artillery positions, supply vehicles, and other combat targets. It can also be used to strike infantry units in trenches, for example. Ukrainian military personnel claim that this type of device is particularly effective for such attacks.
The drone features an automatic flight mode. This means the operator simply selects the target to strike, and the UAV flies to it autonomously, guided by its onboard computer. Even if communication is lost due to jamming from enemy electronic warfare systems, the SkyKnight 2 will still reach the designated target set by the operator.
The drone is very easy to operate. If the operator already has experience with piloting DJI, Autel, or stabilized platforms, they will quickly master the SkyKnight 2. The operator only needs to learn the additional functions that the developers have added to the drone, which is stable, controllable, and predictable in flight. Training a specialist for this drone can be completed relatively quickly, and even a complete beginner can be trained within a week. Additionally, operators from units receiving these drones can undergo training with the developers.
Of course, the main distinction of this drone is its artificial intelligence, which makes it resilient against both enemy electronic warfare and anti-drone guns.
The MARA UAV is a versatile tool for both reconnaissance and artillery correction. Its dual-camera setup allows for comprehensive surveillance by capturing both photos and videos simultaneously, enhancing situational awareness on the field. This UAV’s modularity and continuous upgrades reflect its adaptability and effectiveness in various operational scenarios.
The reconnaissance complex consists of three main UAVs, complemented by an additional three UAVs for operational replacement of any lost in battle. They also included a specialized antenna for flight control.
Each UAV weighs approximately 2.5 kg and is hand-launched. Its dimensions are about 1.9 by 1.1 meters, with a deployment time of 6 minutes. The drone is equipped with a low-noise electric motor. It can search for objects and conduct surveillance up to 25 km away at any time of day and fly 45 km into the front.
MARA is capable of operating at low altitudes and in gusty winds up to 20 m/s. Two drones, along with the control station and antenna, can fit into one backpack. Due to its small size, the drone cannot be targeted by missiles. The spectrum of MARA’s emissions and its radar reflection are too minimal for a missile’s seeker to detect.
The MARA UAV can fly autonomously. Even if a powerful enemy electronic warfare system completely disrupts it and the operator loses contact, the drone will continue on its programmed trajectory, gather data, and return. The aerodynamics of the MARA allow it to return to the operator with very minimal deviation. The cost of the set depends on the tasks and configuration. According to the manufacturer, the total cost of the complex is ∼$68,500.
In fact, the term “Baba Yaga” refers not to a specific drone but to a whole family of cargo helicopter-type UAVs capable of carrying a substantial payload. This includes drones like the “Kachhan,” the Vampire bomber drones, and other similar UAVs.
Initially, large drones of the “Baba Yaga” type were developed for peaceful purposes. For example, they were used for chemical field treatments, with a bag or container of chemicals attached to the underside of the drone, which would disperse the chemicals over fields. They were also employed for delivering cargo to hard-to-reach places (mountains, impenetrable forests, swamps, high-rise buildings, etc.).
Currently, such UAVs are used as night bombers, as well as for conducting reconnaissance and other combat missions during nighttime. The “Baba Yaga” drone is typically equipped with several radio channels protected against navigation interference across different frequencies. They can fly along a programmed route autonomously, without the need for communication with the operator.
These drones typically have six propellers and mounting points for munitions, as well as several batteries. They can carry up to 20 kg of explosives. The bomber drone’s flight speed is up to 40 km/h with a full load and 80 km/h without a load. Notably, the “Baba Yaga” has a flight range of up to 10 km, with a cruising altitude of 400 m and a communication range with the operator of 6 km. With its batteries, the bomber drone can stay airborne for up to 37 minutes without a load and 23 minutes with 10 kg of weight.
The UAVs drop incendiary and other munitions, with the ability to precisely drop up to four munitions on enemy equipment simultaneously. The “Baba Yaga” can be equipped with a warhead weighing 15 kg. They are also used for road mining—dropping cluster mines in regular polyethylene bags (disguised as trash) or wrapped in cloth, grass, or fur.
In combat conditions and complete darkness, the “Baba Yaga” drone targets enemy personnel, supplies, and equipment. It has become a source of terror for the Russians. Although the drone has appeared on the front recently, it has already completed many successful missions. The UAV is cost-effective, priced at around $20,000, and can perform 8-12 flights and destroy about 10 targets, including 3-5 pieces of military equipment worth millions of dollars.
In 2019, the Ukrainian company “Athlon Avia” presented the ST-35 “Thunder” strike UAV complex (loitering munition). This new kamikaze drone is designed for high-precision targeting. Its key feature is the ability to strike targets in concealed positions and use various types of warheads. The device is launched vertically upward, then arrives in the area of the anticipated enemy location, conducts reconnaissance, and subsequently attacks the target by vertical diving.
It can be classified as a “missile aircraft” or a loitering munition. The “Thunder” drone is designed as a biplane with two sets of X-shaped wings mounted on the body of the munition, along with optoelectronic equipment for targeting.
The munition has a launch weight of 9.5 kg, with a 3.5 kg thermobaric warhead, though fragmentation, high-explosive, and shaped charge warheads can also be fitted. It has a flight range of approximately 30 km, with an air time of about 1 hour, and a speed of 120-140 km/h. The probability of hitting the target is 0.95, and the deployment time is 15-20 minutes. The body is made from composite materials (glass and carbon fiber).
The entire complex—which includes three single-use munitions—fits into three tactical backpacks weighing up to 15 kg each. This allows the team to move to necessary positions. Control is managed from a standard tablet.
One of the features of the complex is its independence from navigation systems, allowing it to operate autonomously even during active electronic warfare. It should be noted that the “Thunder” is not a classic precision weapon. This drone is an aerial vehicle carrying a warhead with a guidance system. It combines features of both precision missiles and aircraft.
UAVs play a crucial role in modern military operations due to their unique capabilities. Overall, unmanned aerial vehicles are becoming a key element of contemporary warfare, providing significant advantages in reconnaissance, precision strikes, and enemy personnel elimination.
We aimed to highlight specifically Ukrainian UAV developments. We will definitely update our articles with new advancements as soon as information becomes available. If there are any interesting UAV developments we haven’t mentioned, we would greatly appreciate it if you could share them in the comments. We believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine! We believe in our Victory!
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