Dave Sharpin, CEO of German drone producer Quantum Systems, reported that a Vector unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operated by Ukrainian armed forces (AFU) was repeatedly struck by Russian small arms fire during a recent operational mission but managed to return safely and is currently being repaired. He did not disclose exactly when or where the incident occurred.
Sharpin said the drone which was carrying out an ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) mission “was at a very extended range… when it was struck 11 times by small arms fire.” He said that the drone carried on working until its “gimbal [stabilizer] took a direct hit.”
An AFU drone operator recovers a Vector UAV in the field on its return from a mission. Photo by: quantum-systems.com
Sharpin added: “Vectors [UAVs] have flown thousands of combat mission hours in Ukraine under the toughest of conditions.” He said that the experience and lessons learnt on battlefield operations have led to the latest version of their medium range reconnaissance drones which now includes artificial intelligence (AI) enhanced models.
Quantum Systems GmbH, based in Gilching in Bavaria, Germany, was founded in 2015 for the development, design and production of UAVs, which now includes vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fixed wing and “copter” systems.
Its Vector system, chosen for its extended flight time and survivability was first deployed in Ukraine shortly after the Russian 2022 full-scale invasion and has gone through several modifications based on AFU feedback. Vectors are now in service with the armed forces of Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Romania and the Netherlands.
In 2024 the company opened a manufacturing facility in Ukraine where it assembles and maintains the AFU’s Vector drones. According to the Quantum Systems website its drones have flown for more than 250,000 flight hours with each drone averaging more than 1,000 hours on operations.