Ukrainian military tests new SkyFall drone for aerial evacuation of wounded soldiers – AP

Ukrainian company SkyFall has developed the StarGate drone for aerial evacuation of wounded soldiers and handed it over to the military this week for frontline testing.

Source: Associated Press

Details: A SkyFall spokesperson said the idea emerged after a request from the military.

Quote from AP: "Last year, Flint, commander of the 475th Separate Assault Regiment, known as Code 9.2, approached SkyFall's founder about developing a safer way to evacuate wounded soldiers from hard-to-reach positions."

Details: In some parts of the front line, the so-called kill zone – an area constantly exposed to drone and artillery fire – extends 10-15 km (6-9 miles) or more. StarGate can fly up to 15 km one way, potentially reaching critically wounded troops stranded deep within this dangerous zone.

According to a unit commander with the alias "KVN", ground robots usually take two to three hours to reach a position.

"Covering 10 km in minutes would be a drastic change on the front line," he said.

StarGate has a maximum payload capacity of 150 kg (330 pounds), the manufacturer says, enough to transport a wounded soldier in body armour with their combat gear.

The drone has a cruising speed of 65 km/h and a maximum speed of 105 km/h. Preparing it for flight takes about 10 minutes.

The StarGate has two communication channels: Starlink and its own L-Link system. The drone is operated remotely, while AI features help it function without GPS and in conditions of electronic warfare interference. According to the developers, if communication is completely lost, the drone can independently plot a route to a safe area.

During a field demonstration, a StarGate took off carrying a stretcher loaded with equipment simulating a wounded soldier wearing body armour. The test range also simulated an FPV drone attack and activated electronic warfare systems. When one of the drones approached, StarGate fired a net that entangled it and knocked it off course.

SkyFall estimates that one system will cost at least US$50,000, depending on its configuration. The company plans to ramp up production to as many as 1,000 units per month by the end of 2026.

The military is currently testing the StarGate in frontline conditions. KVN said at least a month of use will be needed to assess the drone's effectiveness.

SkyFall is a Ukrainian manufacturer of heavy Vampire drones, known as Baba Yaga, and Shrike FPV drones. The company has also developed the P1-SUN interceptor drone.

Background: In March, Ukrainian company Gurzuf Defence unveiled the Ayudag-6 heavy drone, capable of carrying up to 90 kg of cargo. The multicopter is also being considered for evacuating wounded soldiers from the battlefield.

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