Bomber drones: Ukraine tests a new generation at the Brave1 test site

A new generation of Ukrainian bomber drones is currently being tested, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine reports. The drones are being trialled at the test site of the Brave1 innovation cluster – they are to offer greater range, higher payload capacity and more stable, more secure communications.

Russian soldiers call the Ukrainian bomber drones “Baba Jaga” (often also spelled Baba Yaga). The nickname goes back to Slavic mythology, in which an unpredictable and very dangerous forest woman, a fairy-tale figure, bears this name.

The first models appeared in the Donbas conflict as early as the mid-2010s. They were used mainly against vehicles and soldiers in covered or reverse-slope positions, which otherwise only high-angle fire could reach. But because high-angle fire was quickly detected and Russian artillery responded with counter-battery fire, “Baba Jaga” was born.

The best-known system in this category at present is Skyfall's Vampire hexacopter. It bombs vertically while hovering at a height of around 100 metres, but is also used to lay mines. Supplying forward positions is also gaining in importance: on the ground, these can often only be reached in weather conditions that are unfavourable for drones.

18 teams took part in the current tests. They presented solutions for specific requirements at the front.

Bombers are a Ukrainian innovation that has become an indispensable weapon on the battlefield. They destroy infantry, equipment and fortifications and help with logistics at the front— Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine

Two classes of bomber drones under test

Testing covered two main categories. One comprises small, fast and agile bombers that carry a few kilograms of payload and are suited mainly against infantry and light vehicles. The other consists of heavy bombers with payloads of several tens of kilograms, designed to fight heavy equipment and fortifications and for logistics missions.

The comprehensive tests were conducted over distances of up to 20 kilometres under the influence of electronic warfare (EW). The focus was on a stable and secure link so that missions are possible even over longer distances.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, the results have already identified systems suited to difficult conditions. These are now to be tested under real combat conditions; the most effective solutions will then be developed further.

Radio remains the key technology in drone warfare

Fibre-optic drones have attracted more attention in recent months. For control and communication in the drone sector, however, radio has remained by far the most important technology.

So-called repeaters, which amplify radio signals and direct them precisely, therefore remain indispensable. The Ukrainian company Bluebird Tech recently presented its latest model: the Vishchun-P system uses Helix and Maple Wireless antennas, and an Emax ES3054 servo aligns the signal. It is compatible with all Ukrainian drones currently in use on the battlefield; video and telemetry are transmitted stably over up to 25 kilometres.

The Vishchun-M variant is specifically optimised for DJI Mavic drones.