Technology

Lab418 develops paired strike and reconnaissance drones

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Illustrative file photo: Ukrflagblue. Not the current event. · Aleksej Leonov · CC BY-SA 2.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ukrflagblue.jpg · resized and padded to 16:9; illustrative archive photograph; derivative under linked source license
Illustrative photo · Aleksej Leonov / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 · resized / padded

In brief

Ukraine’s Lab418 is developing two fixed-wing drones designed to work together. Its founder says testing continues, with a planned strike capability of about 10 kg over a range of up to 200 km.

Lab418 founder and head Anton Pobuta told RBC-Ukraine that the company is developing a strike drone and a reconnaissance drone intended to operate as a pair. Development remains unfinished and testing is under way, he said.

Pobuta described the aircraft as Middle Strike drones with a range of up to 200 km. The petrol-powered strike drone is intended to carry about 10 kg of payload over that distance. The reconnaissance aircraft is designed for vertical take-off and satellite communications, with a planned flight endurance of about four hours.

Component supply has posed a problem: Pobuta said a Chinese manufacturer discontinued the petrol engine range the team had been testing for the strike aircraft. The RBC-Ukraine interview did not specify a timetable for completing development or making deliveries.

Pobuta said Lab418 continues producing drones, batteries and components to fund its development work while shifting its focus towards fixed-wing aircraft. After completing the paired system, the team plans further versions and its own components, including an internal combustion engine.

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