United to win: Ukraine launches production of German Vector drones
Vector UAV. Photo: Quantum-Systems
A German drone manufacturer, Quantum-Systems, opened a factory in Ukraine to produce unmanned systems called Vector.
The company's Ukrainian division representatives spoke to the Militarnyi publication about this.
What is the solution?
The Ukrainian company Quantum–Systems began operations in the spring of this year and is already manufacturing Vector reconnaissance drones for the benefit of the Defense Forces.
Today, the company is assembling drones from ready-made kits arriving from Germany, but the company is gradually localizing the design elements.
Vector drone. Photo: Quantum-Systems
How does it work?
Specifically, the manufacturers stated that their drones are fitted with Ukrainian-made wings and CRPA antennas to receive satellite signals.
There are plans to adjust the production of the fuselage and other structural elements in the future.
An element of the Vector drone in which the Ukrainian CRPA antenna is placed. Photo: Militarnyi.
Representatives from Quantum–Systems commented that the Russian-Ukrainian war revealed the vulnerability of reconnaissance drones dependent on satellite network navigation.
Instead, the company is developing optical navigation technology that utilizes an upgraded optical station and integrated software powered by artificial intelligence, AI Receptor.
The latest upgrade package utilizes Nvidia's Jetson Orin chip and many sensors. This upgrade enables optical navigation capabilities even in low visibility conditions and also employs artificial intelligence for automated object recognition and identification both during the day and at night.
The drones made at the Ukrainian enterprise are equipped with Raptor optical modules as sensors and a television and infrared surveillance channel from NextVision, an Israeli company.
Vector drone optical module from NextVision. Photo: Militarnyi.
Quantum–Systems' medium-range Vector drones have been operational in Ukraine since May of 2022, thanks to funding from the German government for supply to the Ukrainian military.
According to the company's report, the German government has funded 212 systems thus far. By the end of the year, 500 UAVs are expected to be delivered to Ukraine.
For reference:
It is essential to mention that the Quantum-Systems Service, Support, Training, and Logistics Center, which has 25 Ukrainian employees, is already operational in Ukraine.
In addition, in 2023, the company opened a Research and Development Center in the country.
In January 2023, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine ordered 105 Vector reconnaissance drones from the German company Quantum-Systems GmbH.
Later, it was revealed that Ukraine's intelligence would receive 105 more reconnaissance drones, Vector, from the German company Quantum–Systems GmbH.
It was also reported that the German company Quantum Systems will transfer to the capital 100 tactical drones of the new generation, which have already been tested in Ukraine. After that, Kyiv will send the equipment to the military at the front.
In addition, Ukraine will receive 100 Trinity drones in various configurations from the German drone manufacturer Quantum-Systems.
