A Ukrainian startup has introduced the SH-2 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle. The main competitive advantage of the bird is its cost. Thanks to the use of ready-made commercial components, the drone costs several times less than older analogues.
A Ukrainian startup has introduced the SH-2 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle. The main competitive advantage of the bird is its cost. Thanks to the use of ready-made commercial components, the drone costs several times less than older analogues.
The flight time of the device reaches three hours, which allows for long reconnaissance missions. The operating range is up to 60 km, with backup channels for stable operation in conditions of electronic warfare, a company representative told Military.
The drone’s camera is gyro-stabilized with 30x optical and 140x hybrid zoom.
The launch is carried out manually — from the hands, without additional installations. The weight of the device is about 10 kg. The landing is carried out by landing on the stomach, without the use of a parachute.
The drone does not depend on GPS: it is equipped with its own interactive navigation system, which allows it to return to a given point in case of loss of control.
The autopilot is commercial, adapted for military needs. It allows you to plot a route by points, as well as adjust speed and altitude in real time. Cruising speed is about 19 m/s, maximum speed is up to 30 m/s. Operating altitude is 3–3.5 km. The device is resistant to wind gusts up to 17 m/s.
The communication system includes three types of channels, telemetry is transmitted via a low-frequency channel adapted for field conditions. Video is transmitted via its own digital system — two encrypted streams in high quality (1060p).
A crew of three operators is recommended for effective deployment. The standard training course lasts three weeks for beginners and 1–2 weeks for those with related experience. The level of automation is high — manual control is required mainly during landing.
Currently, the share of Ukrainian components is small, but the developers plan to increase localization — in particular, the production of motors, electronics, and optics. Current production capacity is limited — less than 100 units per year.
The device is already being delivered to individual combat units. The plans include increased localization, automated landing, and further improvement of sensors and communication systems.
