Ukraine Just Showcase A Powerful New Strike Drone
Ukraine Just Showcase A Powerful New Strike Drone
February 15, 2024 / By Zunair Tahir / World News
A formidable new strategic strike drone that Ukraine is testing could prove to be a formidable opponent for anybody who stands in its way on the battlefield. This is what we now know about the drone’s impact on the front lines.
Mykhailo Federov, the Ukrainian Minister of Digital Transformation, announced on his official Telegram channel on February 5th that Ukraine has begun testing the new Shoolika mk6 drone manufactured by Skylabs US as a component of the Brave1 initiative.
According to a translation by Militaryni, Federov told his followers, “The Defense Forces have already tested the Shoolika mk6 and offered their feedback: the drone is important for tactical operations, especially at night.”
Brave1 is a government platform that combines forward-thinking businesses with Ukrainian defense concepts to develop the new weaponry required to counter Russia and strengthen Ukraine’s military might.
The program has shown to be quite effective, and Ukriane’s Brave1 project is developing new technologies, one example of which is the Shoolika mk6. What are the capabilities of this new drone then?
Federov said that the drone featured an advanced night vision system and that the Shoolika mk6 can deliver precise hits. He also noted that the drone has shown to be very beneficial in night assaults. However, the drone has other innovative features as well.
The Shoolika mk6 can transport a 6-kilogram or 13.2-pound payload to its target and has a range of up to 10 kilometers, or 6.21 miles. Although it might not seem like much, that is more than enough to do significant harm.
According to Militaryni, the Shoolika mk6 drone is equipped with an anti-tank bomb known as a “four-section hardpoint section for shaped PTAB-type ammunition,” which is intended to defeat tanks and other armored vehicles and equipment.
The Shoolika mk6’s high-precision control system and resilience to electronic warfare are what actually make it dangerous. Federov did not provide any further information regarding these issues in his Telegram post, though.
NATO is now codifying the Shoolika mk6, a formidable drone that will soon be enhanced with artificial intelligence for use in autonomous missions and improved cameras to help it find targets more effectively.
The Shoolika mk6 is “a multifunctional combat asset poised to turn every military operation into a success with minimal human risk,” according to its developer Skylab UA, who also described the drone as “the future of aerial support.”
According to Militaryni, it takes Skylab UA around three weeks to assemble ten Shoolika mk6 drones, not counting the time needed for software updates, calibration, testing, and packing.
The typical Shoolika mk6 costs between $25,000 and $30,000. However, in January 2024, Skylab UA announced a price drop for the Shoolika mk6, albeit the firm did not name a pricing.
The Brave1 program, which was started in April 2023 by six Ukrainian government ministries to promote collaboration between digital firms and the defense sector, is what led to the development of the Shoolika mk6.
“Ukraine ought to grow into a nation that embraces technology, learns quickly, and uses it effectively. Federov stated during the program’s debut that “the creation of BRAVE1 is one of the important steps in this direction,” according to a news release.
Our objective is to create a framework for the quick initiation of defense technology initiatives. must make audacious choices and provide the ideal environment for the growth of businesses producing military technologies,” Federov continued. “Courage and technology can go a long way toward our victory.”