Ukrainian firm develops Sky Devil drone for EW-resistant reconnaissance

Ukraine has approved the Sky Devil fixed-wing reconnaissance drone for serial production, bringing a new domestically developed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform into military service.

The drone, developed by Ukrainian defense technology company SkyAtom, has also received a NATO code, making it the company’s first system to complete formal military approval and enter mass production. The platform is designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target observation missions, with a particular focus on operations in electronically contested environments where satellite navigation may be unavailable.

That requirement has become more pressing because drone operations over the front line are routinely challenged by intensive Electronic Warfare (EW) activity. GPS denial and jamming have become standard defensive measures, forcing Ukrainian developers to prioritize autonomous navigation and mission continuity under disrupted signal conditions.

SkyAtom said the Sky Devil can remain airborne for up to four hours, providing extended persistence for surveillance missions over active combat zones. The aircraft has a tactical operating radius of 70 kilometers and a maximum range of 280 kilometers, allowing it to support reconnaissance tasks well beyond the immediate frontline area.

One of the most notable features is its ability to continue flying without GPS. In the event of complete satellite signal loss, the drone continues its mission using beacon-based navigation, which the company said provides sufficient positional accuracy even during active electronic warfare interference. This capability is intended to preserve operational effectiveness when conventional satellite guidance is disrupted.

The system is also built to withstand demanding weather and battlefield conditions. According to the provided specifications, the aircraft can operate in winds of up to 15 meters per second and includes protection against EW systems.

A key part of the platform is its integrated optical payload. The drone carries a gyrostabilized Next Vision Raptor camera system equipped with both daytime and thermal imaging modules housed within a single unit. The daylight camera provides 1920×1080 resolution, while the infrared thermal module delivers 1280×720 resolution for night operations.

The sensor package includes 80x zoom, allowing operators to detect and observe targets at long distances. SkyAtom said the electro-optical camera can identify targets at up to 4,600 meters, while the thermal imaging system can detect heat signatures at up to 2,500 meters.

This dual-sensor arrangement is intended to support continuous ISR coverage across both day and night cycles. By integrating visible-light and infrared surveillance into one stabilized housing, the system reduces the need for separate payload configurations and enables faster mission turnaround.

The drone is a lightweight fixed-wing system with a takeoff weight of 14.5 kilograms and a wingspan of 2.4 meters. Its operating altitude ranges from 100 to 1,750 meters, giving it flexibility for both low-altitude observation and wider-area surveillance.

Launch and recovery are fully automated. The aircraft is launched by catapult and recovered by parachute, a process that does not require the operator to have advanced piloting skills. This design is intended to shorten training timelines and speed deployment for newly trained crews. The Sky Devil supports automatic, semi-automatic, and manual flight modes depending on mission requirements.

The approval of the system fits into Ukraine’s wider effort to expand domestic drone production and field platforms capable of surviving modern EW conditions.