Ukrainian military tests balloon-assisted launch of US Hornet kamikaze drone. VIDEO
Drone Industry
Ukrainian troops have tested the launch of a US Hornet kamikaze drone using a balloon.
Censor.NET reports that the aerostat carried the UAV 42 kilometers, after which it was released from an altitude of 8 kilometers.
Ukrainian defenders note that this concept allows the UAV’s range to be increased by 1.5–2 times and expands the capabilities of strike drones.
"Dropping the UAV from a great height allows for planning, conserving battery power and ensuring a long flight range," the published video states.
More about the Hornet kamikaze drone
The Hornet drone was developed by the US company Swift Beat, owned by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
It is a fixed-wing aircraft-type drone designed to strike manpower and military equipment at long range.
The development’s key features include extensive integration of AI elements. According to estimates, the drone can cover a distance of 100 to 150 kilometers and carry a warhead weighing up to 5 kilograms.
Ukrainian troops are already using these UAVs to strike enemy logistics in temporarily occupied territories.
