BLUF:
Ukraine and Russia have begun using heavy unmanned copters to transport ground robots to enemy positions. The new tactic allows small wheeled kamikaze drones to be launched much farther from the front line, and makes it possible to destroy hidden targets.
Ukrainian manufacturers are working on developing cheap interceptor missiles to counter jet-powered drone threats given mounting challenges for regular interceptor drones to shoot down jet-powered Shaheds.
Russia is extending its use of Banderol drones — hybrids between cruise missiles and Shahed drones — in an effort to further exhaust Ukrainian air defense systems.
Ukrainian defense tech company BlueBird Tech has modified its Bebradron drone for pilot and air defense training, including by simplifying the model compared to the existing combat version.
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An emerging tactic combines ground and air drones
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1. What Ukrainian weapons manufacturers are doing about jet-powered drones threat
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President Zelenskyy has appointed Yurii Pohribnyi as commander of the Logistics Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Alex Bornyakov has joined the Supervisory Board of the Brave1 defense tech cluster. A former government official, he worked on coordinating, launching, and scaling systemic reforms.
Oksana Chyvurina has become Head of Marketing at DoD Solution, specializing in AI solutions for drones and robotic systems.
The recently founded Serpens Center for International Security is looking for a senior research and analytics manager, as well as senior analyst, government relations manager, and communication manager.
Vyriy, a Ukrainian drone manufacturer, is looking for a project manager for R&D work, a middle UAV engineer, and a senior embedded developer.
Skyeton, a Ukrainian drone manufacturer, is looking for a hardware engineer/architect to develop electronic systems for drones.
Sky Assist is a modern high-tech company that manufactures the Sirko unmanned aerial reconnaissance system, which is marketed for its compactness, reliability, ease of use, resistance to difficult weather conditions and radio interference. Another significant advantage is its low radio-frequency signature, which makes the drone harder for the enemy to detect and shoot down. The company continues to improve Sirko based on frontline feedback.
Sky Assist this year announced plans to cooperate with Italy’s Siralab Robotics on advanced defense solutions, including unmanned systems and loitering munitions. “We plan to turn our reconnaissance system into a reconnaissance-and-strike system to further expand the capabilities of Ukraine’s Defense Forces,” said Sky Assist co-founder Bohdan Koval, adding the company planned to raise $400,000 for this and other projects.
Former Defense Minister Fedorov announced earlier this month the production of one of the first jet-powered interceptor drones, without disclosing the manufacturer. The drone is reportedly capable of reaching speeds of up to 600 km/h and is currently undergoing combat testing.
The MoD has codified the Dovbush T40 drone — with a range of approximately 2,000 km — paving the way for procurement for the Armed Forces. According to the ministry, the drone can remain airborne for 24 hours, enabling it to strike remote parts of Russia such as the Urals and western part of Siberia.
The Ukrainian guided aerial bomb Vyrivniuvach has completed testing and is now being procured for the air force. Meanwhile, 10 other Ukrainian guided aerial bombs are currently being developed, Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn said in an interview with Ukrinform.
Russia is expanding its drone launch sites to be able to reach deep into NATO territory, according to a Telegraph investigation. According to the report, a single base has enough space to store about 1,000 drones. Additional launchers are also being built at many bases.
Ukrainian monitoring channels on Telegram report that the cause for a reported violation of Moldova’s airspace during the Russian attack on August 17 was the targeting of a Russian Banderol missile.
