Ukrainian developers unveil reconnaissance drones capable of flying without GPS

Ukrainian company Warbirds has unveiled details about its Halka MK2 and Halka MK3 reconnaissance drones, which have evolved through multiple upgrades of a platform deployed on the front lines in Ukraine since 2015.

Source: Defender Media, a Ukrainian news outlet focusing exclusively on Ukrainian defence innovations

Details: The platform was initially supplied to Ukraine's Armed Forces and National Guard as volunteer aid under the name ASU-1 Valkyrie. After refinements and upgrades, the UAV received a new name – Halka.

The manufacturer reported that compared with the ASU-1 Valkyrie, the base Halka offers greater endurance and a longer telemetry and video-link range. Valkyrie was rated for more than 120 minutes of flight time and a range of up to 35 km, while Halka exceeds 150 minutes and can reach up to 45 km.

In both cases, the drone is launched from an elastic catapult and follows a pre-programmed route without manual operator control. Navigation relies on a combination of GPS and onboard sensors, while the airframe is constructed from foam reinforced with a carbon frame and composite materials.

The latest Halka variants were introduced later. They have been formally approved for service and are listed on the Brave1 Market, Ukraine's defence tech marketplace.

"Halka MK3 is designed for real-time digital video transmission and intelligence gathering with precise positioning," the manufacturer says. "It features a gyro-stabilised camera, a protected control channel and can operate without GPS."

Halka MK2 is intended for aerial photography and is equipped with a visual navigation module. "This enables autonomous flights in conditions where enemy electronic warfare systems are active," the company notes.

Warbirds states that both the Halka MK2 and MK3 have an advertised endurance of about three hours, a cruising speed of roughly 70 km/h and a range of up to 180 km. The drones are designed to operate in rain, snow, fog, and temperatures down to -20°C.

The system requires a two-operator crew, and pre-flight preparation takes about 15 minutes.

Background: Other reconnaissance UAVs are also being developed in Ukraine. For example, the Leleka-100 drones produced by DeViRo, a Ukrainian company, have recently been fitted with manoeuvring systems to evade enemy interceptor drones. The Leleka-100 system has been officially in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2019.

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