It is actually incredible how many different weapons and other systems the industry in Ukraine has managed to present since the beginning of the Russian invasion. It seems that the most innovative people immediately scrambled into action to respond to the urgent needs of the defenders of Ukraine. For example, the reconnaissance drone Shark was developed after the invasion and is already doing a good job on the frontlines.
Ukrainian drone Shark on its launch platform. Image credit: Azerelia via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Shark is a winged reconnaissance drone, developed from existing technologies in Ukraine. It gets its name thanks to its look, but it is not an actual predator – it carries no weapons. However, it provides eyes in the sky, which are crucial for direct and accurate hits.
For example, in this recent video you can see how shark of the 140th separate reconnaissance battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine adjusts the work of HIMARS:
🦈🇺🇦 “Shark” UAV of the 140th separate reconnaissance battalion adjusts the work of HIMARS at the location of the Russian Forces and two BMP-2. pic.twitter.com/3vpFYWbHOr
— MAKS 23 👀🇺🇦 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) December 23, 2023
This attack resulted in the destruction of two Russian BMP-2 vehicles.
Shark drones adjust artillery fire, look for enemy forces, ammo depots, and heavy equipment. It can spot Russians preparing for a new assault. This information is then transferred to the Ukrainian artillery, which deals with the incoming threat in due time. Shark drones are very important and quite capable.
The Shark is 1.65 metres long and has a wingspan of 3.4 metres. It is quite a large drone, but it can be deployed very quickly and weighs just around 12.5 kilograms. It is not armed, but carries a Full HD camera, which is fully stabilized and has 30x optical and 3x digital zoom.
Zoom is important, because the Shark has a flight ceiling of 3 kilometres. It can stay in the air for 4 hours and transfer data at a range of 80 km. In case of loss of connection, the Shark has the ability to return to the launch site independently.
One of the most important features of the Shark is its 30x optical zoom FullHD camera. Image credit: Iryna Supruniuk25 via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
As an aircraft, the Shark is rather simple. It has long sleek wings and an upside-down V-tail. It is pushed along with a pusher-propeller. Of course, the Shark is an electric drone. Its max speed is 130 km/h and it cruises at 75 km/h. It takes off using a simple catapult and lands with the help of a parachute – the Shark has no chassis. It can fly in an automatic mode or it can be controlled manually.
Reconnaissance and surveillance drones like the Shark are very important for Ukraine, because they help correct artillery and missile fire. They detect targets and pass their coordinates along, which allows the defenders of Ukraine to engage those targets with various weapons systems.
Interestingly, several Shark drones that are used by the defenders of Ukraine were actually crowdfunded by the Ukrainian population. This just shows that they care that their soldiers have the tools they need to defend their country.
Written by Povilas M.