The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported, “Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have become an integral part of reconnaissance.
Domestically developed systems, actively used on the frontline, possess technical characteristics that surpass global counterparts,” the ministry stated.
The Raybird UAS (better known among the military as ACS-3) has reshaped existing drone classifications. Despite its small size (weighing up to 25 kg), this aircraft is capable of performing missions typically reserved for much larger systems.
Raybird has extensive combat experience, with over 350,000 hours of operational flights and dozens of missions carried out daily.
“This reconnaissance aircraft can remain airborne for up to 28 hours and cover distances of up to 2,500 km,” the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine noted.
Raybird’s capabilities allow it to evade enemy air defenses and electronic warfare systems. Thanks to its characteristics and compact design, Raybird can bypass enemy air defense systems and zones of active electronic warfare, conducting high-quality visual reconnaissance from altitudes of up to 5.5 km and performing other tasks.
Its modular design and compact size enable the UAS to be used for various missions. It does not require special conditions for takeoff and landing and has a high degree of maintainability—damaged components can be replaced within minutes.
Payloads that can be swapped in one minute:
- Gyro-stabilized multisensor gimbals with a laser designator
- Photographic cameras
- Synthetic aperture radars (SAR)
- Loitering munitions of various types
- FPV drones
The base model of Raybird was developed in 2016, and by 2018, the ACS-3/Raybird aviation complex was adopted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Since then, it has been continuously upgraded and modernized.
Raybird features a precision laser targeting system for guided munitions.
One of the latest versions of the Raybird UAS features an integrated laser guidance system for precision-guided munitions, which operates with meter-level accuracy.
“This is the only UAV in its class equipped with such a system, and its effectiveness has already been proven in real combat,” the military stated. The laser designation operates at a sufficient distance from the target to ensure precise engagement while keeping the carrier platform safe.
Combat experience in Ukraine confirms Raybird’s reliability, its resilience against electronic warfare systems, and its cost-effectiveness.
“This makes the UAS a valuable tool for both defense and commercial missions. Additionally, with over 90% of production localized in Ukraine, it plays a significant role in strengthening the national economy,” the Ministry of Defense stated.
Credit: Defense Express
