Ukrainian manufacturer Skyeton has added satellite communication to the Raybird reconnaissance drone to remove data transmission range limitations and maintain a stable real-time video stream over much longer distances.
Ukrainian manufacturer Skyeton has added satellite communication to the Raybird reconnaissance drone to remove data transmission range limitations and maintain a stable real-time video stream over much longer distances.
According to «Military», after integrating the satellite channel, Raybird can perform deep reconnaissance tasks in places where traditional ground-based communications no longer work or are not available. Skyeton emphasizes that the update removes the typical «radio-horizon» limitation: instead of being tied to the range of the radio line, the device transmits data via a satellite network, which allows it to maintain contact with the operator at a much greater distance.
The manufacturer also emphasizes that Raybird is compatible with solutions from various satellite communication providers. That is, units of the Defense Forces can choose a specific system for their application conditions, coverage and tasks. Skyeton transferred the first Raybird complex with satellite communication to one of the units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in 2025. Since then, the company has continued to deploy such complexes in the combat zone.
Skyeton CEO Roman Knyazhenko said that the satellite channel was tested in real combat missions, not in laboratory conditions. According to him, the team spent a year collecting feedback from military operators to bring the integration to stable operation during long flights and in an environment of electronic warfare. Only after that the company was convinced that the solution was ready for scaling.
Raybird is positioned as a platform for long-term reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (ISTAR) missions. The production version with an internal combustion engine, according to the manufacturer, is capable of staying in the air for more than 28 hours. The UAV supports variable payloads, including gyro-stabilized multi-sensor cameras, synthetic aperture radars (SAR) and radio reconnaissance equipment for searching and identifying radio signal sources. Separately, Skyeton has a version of Raybird with an electric motor running on hydrogen fuel.
Previously, dev.ua wrote about how the Ukrainian Raybird reconnaissance drone in the version with a hydrogen-electric power plant began to be used on the front line. Skyeton says that the hybrid modification has already passed the training stage and has been on full combat duty since December 2025.
