US Army to purchase Ukrainian-made Raybird drones in US$10.6m deal – photos
The US Army will purchase Ukrainian Raybird reconnaissance drones under a new contract.
Source: a US Department of War contract announcement
Details: The US Army Contracting Command has awarded the US$10.6 million contract to Skyeton Inc., the US subsidiary of Ukrainian company Skyeton. According to the US Department of War, the manufacturer is to supply the US Army with "hardware and services" for Raybird drones by approximately 15 December 2026.
The US Department of War said that Skyeton Inc.'s proposal was the only one submitted in response to the online request for proposals.
The Raybird (ACS-3) is a small fixed-wing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle designed for long-duration reconnaissance missions. It can remain airborne for over 28 hours, cover more than 2,500 km and operate at an altitude of up to 5,500 m. According to the manufacturer, the UAV has logged more than 350,000 hours of combat operations.
In February, satellite communications were integrated into the drone, allowing it to conduct reconnaissance over longer distances.
Background:
- Ukrainian company Skyeton previously signed a memorandum of understanding with Onberg Autonomous Systems. The two companies are joining forces to strengthen European defence.
- A Russian attack on 14 May destroyed the Kyiv office of Skyeton.
Your support on Patreon helps us keep the news free and accessible.