Solutions to win: Ukrainian developers design vertical takeoff and landing kamikaze drone

In Ukraine, a SkyFall vertical take-off and landing kamikaze drone is being developed. It is designed to destroy armored vehicles and fortifications.

According to Militarnyi, a representative of the company StarkDefence, which is a developer of UAVs, reported that.

What is the problem?

Unmanned systems have played a significant role during the hostilities in Ukraine after the large-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in February 2022.

As a nation facing ongoing war, Ukraine cannot afford to be left behind in the race for innovation. Ukraine must develop its drones and missiles, as they can play a significant role in ensuring the safety and success of its military forces.

One of the primary reasons Ukraine needs to develop its drones is to minimize casualties among service members during hostilities. These advanced technologies allow for effective reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting of enemy positions, reducing the need for ground troops to advance into dangerous areas. This protects the lives of Ukrainian soldiers and improves the overall efficiency of military operations.

What is the solution?

A representative from StarkDefence confirms that the SkyFall drone is currently undergoing internal testing. The developers are testing the guidance system under different conditions, as well as the warhead and security protocols.

How does it work?

It is reported that the SkyFall unmanned complex includes a control station and 3-5 strike drones. Drones work in tandem with a reconnaissance UAV, which detects targets and is also used as a repeater if necessary. Thanks to its vertical take-off and landing function, the new drone does not require special devices such as a catapult to launch.

SkyFall is anticipated to reach targets within a range of 40-60 kilometers. The primary objective of the drone is to eliminate armored vehicles and enemy defense lines. To accomplish this, the UAV has been outfitted with a 5-kilogram warhead, which can be either high-explosive or high-explosive-cumulative. The optical guidance system, made in Ukraine, allows the drones to engage both moving and stationary targets in both daylight and nighttime conditions. Additionally, the UAV is equipped with a Ukrainian autopilot.

The UAV also cancels the combat mission if the target has already been hit or has changed its location. In this case, the drone returns and, after recharging the battery, can go on another mission. This option will allow the Ukrainian military to use drones more economically.

For reference:

As reported, on August 24, during the Independence Day celebrations, Zelensky announced the first successful combat use of the Ukrainian missile-drone "Palianytsia." The President noted that two dozen Russian military airfields are within range of the Ukrainian missile. The missile was developed quite swiftly in just a year and a half.

Moreover, Ukraine is also developing artificial intelligence systems that will help manage a huge fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles.

It is worth noting that Ukraine is one of the world leaders in the development and testing of new technological solutions on the battlefield, in particular, in the use of artificial intelligence in unmanned systems.