Solutions to win: Ukraine unveils a SkyKnight 2 combat drone with AI core

Ukrainian engineers have presented a new combat drone SkyKnight 2, which is equipped with an AI core to perform complex tasks without much effort.

The new compact drone can be used as both a reconnaissance and strike drone, ArmyInform reports.

What is the problem?

Drones are widely used in modern combat operations. Ukrainian forces have proved their efficiency on the battlefield by constantly disrupting Russian logistics and destroying armored vehicles with FPV drones.

The drone manufacturer SkyKnight2 submitted its new invention to Ukraine's defense ministry as the accelerated procedure for approval took its turn.

What is the solution?

Before we submitted the invention to the defense ministry for approval, we had the drone prepared and ran through numerous tests. Subsequently, we created a test methodology program together with experts, conducted factory tests and received the relevant protocols, the engineers said.

The developers said that only then did they receive a certificate of approval for operation.

In terms of time, all the procedures took us about a month. Later, the military "acceptance" team worked with us to determine whether we could sign a contract. Now we have all the necessary documents, they added.

How does it work?

ArmyInform's article says that the drone could be used to destroy targets with its "kamikaze" feature or by dropping a payload on the target.

The device is optionally equipped with a mesh network module and a specialized AI-based flight core that should counter Russian drone suppression systems. The maximum payload the drone can carry is 2,5 kilograms.

Photos provided by the manufacturer

SkyKnight 2 is quite fast, powerful, and quiet at the same time, said Chief Engineer Serhii.

The drone has an automatic flight mode. The new invention can work on the target, even if it does not stand still.

When the operator has identified the target to be hit, the drone flies to it automatically, as it is already controlled by the onboard computer.

Even if communication is lost due to enemy's radio jamming, our drone will still reach the target defined by the operator, the engineer added.

The manufacturer believes any operator with piloting skills on DJI or Autel drones will learn SkyKnight 2 quickly.

By the way, it was in December last year that we first heard about the Defense Ministry's Accelerator and started working with the specialists who later joined the Accelerator team, the manufacturers concluded.