A Ukrainian defense tech company has introduced a new fixed-wing kamikaze drone capable of striking targets up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) away, as Kyiv continues to scale up domestically produced battlefield systems.
UFORCE presented the drone, dubbed “Bucha,” at the defense tech job fair “Arsenal of Talents,” the industry outlet Militarnyi reported.
Company engineers say the system is designed for flexibility on the front line and can switch among multiple communication channels, including Starlink, depending on battlefield conditions.
The drone is intended to operate in coordinated groups using a mesh-network approach. In each swarm, one aircraft can be configured as a relay node, carrying an additional battery instead of a warhead to extend communication range and maintain control links with strike drones.
Unlike many unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, “Bucha” is launched from a compact rail system using a powder charge rather than a traditional pneumatic catapult. The drone carries a 5.5-kilogram warhead.
Developers say a single operator or small team could control multiple drones in sequence. A launcher preloaded with several aircraft would allow staggered takeoffs, with operators connecting to each drone mid-flight.
The system remains in the testing phase, with flight trials ongoing and combat testing planned as the next step. The final cost will depend on the communications setup, but early estimates place it between $10,000 and $12,000 per unit.
A lighter, simplified version of the drone is already closer to deployment. Carrying a 3.5-kilogram (7.7-pound) payload with a range of 100-120 kilometers (62-75 miles), it has entered pre-series production and has reportedly been used in combat.
UFORCE develops unmanned systems across land, air, and sea domains, adapting technologies proven in combat for use by allied militaries.
Its products – including naval drones, strike UAVs, and counter-drone systems – have collectively carried out more than 150,000 missions during Russia’s full-scale invasion.
CEO Oleh Rohynskyi said the company’s designs are built specifically for real-world combat conditions, where access to high-end Western weapons can be limited.
“The experience of understanding what doesn’t work in Western systems is extremely valuable for our partners,” he added.