The Bobr UAV: ​​Ukraine's Kamikaze Drone for Long-Range Strike

The Beaver UAV (UJ-26 Beaver) is a loitering munition developed in Ukraine for the destruction of remote stationary targets. It is classified as a kamikaze drone with the ability to endure sustained flight and self-destruct upon impact. It is part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' arsenal and has been actively used since 2023 for operations at depths of up to 1000 km from the line of contact. Primary targets include oil refineries, fuel and lubricant depots, ammunition depots, airfields, command posts, and infrastructure. The drone is independent of satellite navigation thanks to its combined guidance system, making it resistant to electronic warfare. It is launched from mobile platforms based on trucks, ensuring rapid deployment. Its warhead, weighing between 5 and 20 kg, inflicts sufficient damage to disable large targets. The production cost of a single unit ranges from $50 to $100, depending on the configuration, enabling serial production of several hundred units per year. The device is transported disassembled and assembled on-site in 2-3 hours. Its overall weight allows it to be used on standard vehicles without special preparation. The drone complements other unmanned aerial systems, such as the Leleka-100 reconnaissance system or FPV strike drones, forming a multi-layered strike structure. By 2025, the Bober had undergone several stages of modernization, including enhanced protection against jamming and an increased payload. Its use is integrated into the overall fire control system, where reconnaissance data is transmitted directly to the launch site. Effectiveness is assessed by the cost-to-damage ratio, which often exceeds millions of dollars per successful launch. The device has become part of a strategy to systematically deplete logistical resources.

History of creation

Development of the Beaver project began in the spring of 2022 at Ukrjet facilities in Kyiv. The initiative arose in response to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' need for a means of striking targets at ranges inaccessible to standard artillery. An engineering team of 20 specialists analyzed foreign equivalents, including the Iranian Shahed-136, but decided to create a completely domestic platform. They based the design on the UJ-22 Airborne, previously produced for export, but made significant changes to the aerodynamics and control system. In May 2022, the preliminary design was completed and production of the first three prototypes began. Airframe materials were purchased from local composite suppliers to avoid dependence on imports. A two-stroke gasoline engine manufactured by Chinese partners was selected for the engine, but in 2023, localized equivalents were adopted. In the summer of 2022, bench tests of the engine and starting system were conducted. In August of that year, the first flight tests took place at a test site in the Zhytomyr region. The drone covered 300 km with a mock-up warhead. In the fall of 2022, the navigation system was refined by adding an inertial module with high-precision gyroscopes. By December 2022, the prototypes had completed 50 test flights, logging a total of 200 flight hours. State funding was received through the Ministry of Defense in January 2023. The first batch of 20 units was assembled in February 2023. In March 2023, the drone underwent military trials in the Kharkiv region, including launches from mock-ups. Official acceptance into service occurred in April 2023.

Production capacity was expanded by engaging subcontractors in Dnipro and Lviv. By June 2023, 50 vehicles had been produced. In July 2023, the first modification with a 10 kg warhead was introduced. Volunteer organizations provided additional funds for the purchase of electronics. In 2024, production rates increased to 30-40 units per month. In February 2024, a version with an extended range due to an optimized fuel system was introduced. By May 2024, 80 percent of components were localized. In the summer of 2024, an optical module for final correction was added. In 2025, a modification with a 20 kg warhead and improved protection against electronic warfare was released. By March 2025, total production exceeded 300 units. In April 2025, integration with artificial intelligence systems for autonomous route planning began. By June 2025, certification for export to NATO countries was achieved. The total project budget was approximately $15 million. Development continues, focusing on swarm launches and integration with ground-based systems. By October 2025, the Bober became the base platform for several payload enhancement subprojects.

Design and specifications

The Beaver's fuselage is made of fiberglass and carbon fiber, measuring 2 meters in length and 0,3 meters in diameter. These materials were selected to reduce weight and radar signature. The trapezoidal wings, spanning 3,2 meters, are bolted together for quick assembly. Tail stabilizers provide stability at cruise. A two-stroke, 150 cc, 6-horsepower gasoline engine is housed in the aft section. A 0,55-meter diameter pusher propeller is made of composite material. The fuel system includes a tank holding 18-22 liters of A-95 gasoline with a pump for uniform delivery. The warhead is housed in the nose compartment and secured with explosive bolts for release if necessary. The fuse is a contact-type, delayed-detonation fuse for penetration. The navigation unit consists of MEMS gyroscopes, accelerometers, and a barometer.

An ARM-based processor processes data at 100 Hz. The optical system in the nose includes a 1080p camera with a 60-degree field of view for correction over the last 5 kilometers. Power is supplied by 12V lithium-ion batteries for the launch electronics. A built-in communications antenna transmits telemetry during the preparatory phase. The 5-meter-long pneumatic catapult is mounted on a UAZ vehicle or pickup truck. The apparatus assembly includes 12 main components, all of which are leak-tested. Modifications vary in tank capacity and warhead type. Interference protection includes shielding and backup algorithms. Maintenance requires a standard set of tools. Transportation is carried out in containers, with 2-3 drones per vehicle.

Specifications:

• Type: Loitering munition kamikaze drone 
• Developer: Ukrjet 
• Year of commissioning: 2023 
• Takeoff weight: 150 kg base, 170 kg with maximum load 
• Fuselage length: 2 m 
• Wingspan: 3,2 m 
• Assembled height: 0,6 m 
• Engine: gasoline two-stroke 150 cc 6 hp 
• Cruising speed: 120 km/h base, 160 km/h maximum 
• Dive speed: 200 km / h 
• Flight range: 800 km standard, up to 1000 km with optimization 
• Flight time: 7 hours basic, up to 10 hours with additional tank 
• Maximum flight altitude: 5000 m 
• Minimum altitude: 50 m above ground 
• Warhead: 5 kg minimum 20 kg maximum high-explosive fragmentation thermobaric or cumulative 
• Damage radius: 15-30 m depending on the type 
• Guidance system: inertial with gyroscopes plus optical camera at the end 
• Hit accuracy: 10 m CEP at 800 km 
• Launch: pneumatic catapult with acceleration of 15g 
• Pre-launch time: 120 minutes for full assembly 
• Crew: 3 people, guidance operator, mechanic technician 
• Unit Cost: $50 base, $100 with upgrades 
• Temperature range: from -20 to +50 degrees Celsius

Combat application

The first documented use of the "Bobr" drone occurred on October 15, 2023, at a range of 450 km. The launch was conducted from a position in the Kherson region. In November 2023, a series of five drones attacked an oil refinery in the Krasnodar region. By December 2023, the total number of launches had reached 20. Krasukha-type electronic warfare jams 20 percent of routes. Losses are offset by the sheer number of attacks. Coordination is carried out through centers in Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv. Operations are planned based on satellite imagery and intelligence.

The Bober has proven its value as a long-range strike asset for the Ukrainian Armed Forces from 2023 to 2025. The drone enables systematic attacks at depths of 1000 km with minimal effort. Further development includes a 30 kg warhead and autonomous AI-guided guidance. Production is increasing to 50 units per month. The drone compensates for the lack of long-range aviation and increases pressure on the rear.