Ukraine to Trial Locally-Built Reconnaissance Drone in Combat
Ukrainian drone developers have transferred one of their recently-developed systems to the Ukrainian Armed Forces for combat trials.
The SpyGun’s primary role is reconnaissance. However, it could also be used for fire correction, the country’s Ministry of Defense stated.
Local engineers and designers have developed the drone on the initiative of entrepreneur and volunteer Yurii Holyk and serviceman Serhii Stakhovskyi.
Stakhovskyi, 37, is a former professional tennis player and has played in all four grand slams.
SpyGun UAV
The relatively inexpensive drone complex consists of two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and a ground control station.
The UAV can operate at a range of up to 50 kilometers (31 miles) due to an inbuilt radio control system for counter-electronic warfare.
The drone is equipped to return to its take-off point while following a pre-selected pathway with the engine turned off, saving its battery.
It also features two cameras — course online and GoPro — and has been built to remain “invisible.”
The platform’s maximum flight time is 160 minutes.
It operates at an altitude of 500 to 600 meters (1,640-1,968 feet) with a flight ceiling of 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) and a speed of 90 kilometers (56 miles) per hour.
