--- title: "Aerobikes and Returning Drones: How Brave1 Plans to Change Infantry Delivery Tactics" description: "The Ukrainian cluster Brave1 is launching the development of aerobikes and unmanned platforms for the safe delivery of infantry to the front lines. πŸšπŸ’¨ The new concept assumes autonomous return of equipment and reduced thermal signatures. The project has already been included in the list of priority defense technologies and will be funded through state grants. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦πŸ›‘οΈ" date: 2026-07-16T00:23:37.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/aerobikes-and-returning-drones-how-brave1-plans-to-change-infantry-delivery-tactics tags: [brave1, ukraine, military-tech, drones, andriy-hrytseniuk] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Aerobikes and Returning Drones: How Brave1 Plans to Change Infantry Delivery Tactics ![Brave1 combat aerobike with a helmeted pilot taking off in a field, showcasing innovative infantry delivery tactics](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/16/brave1-razrabatyvaet-aerobayki-i-bespilotnye-ploshchadki-dlya-pehoty/brave1-razrabatyvaet-aerobayki-i-bespilotnye-ploshchadki-dlya-pehoty-1.webp) The Ukrainian state defense cluster Brave1 has initiated a large-scale process to revise logistics tactics on the front lines. The focus is on developing new lightweight aerial platforms capable of delivering military personnel to high-risk zones, minimizing the risks associated with traditional ground transport. The initiative, announced during the Brave1 Advantage technology forum, proposes the creation of both manned aerobikes and unmanned quadcopters. The project aims to solve the critical task of rapidly redeploying personnel in conditions where the density of aerial reconnaissance and artillery countermeasures makes ground routes lethally dangerous. ### A New Paradigm of Tactical Mobility The need to create alternative delivery methods is driven by the evolution of the nature of combat. Traditional equipment β€” from SUVs to lightly armored vehicles β€” has high visual, thermal, and radar visibility. This makes them vulnerable targets for FPV drones and artillery, especially during unit rotation phases. Cluster head Andriy Grytsenyuk outlined the key parameters of the new concept, which is intended to address these challenges. The foundation of the project is control flexibility: platforms are being considered that can operate in manual mode under the control of a deployed soldier, as well as in fully autonomous or remote modes. Special attention is paid to return logistics. It is assumed that after completing the task of delivering military personnel to a designated point, the device will be able to automatically return to its base. This solution aims to minimize losses of scarce equipment, which often remains on the battlefield after the crew is evacuated. ### Technological Requirements and Reduced Visibility To successfully integrate into modern combat conditions, new platforms must have an extremely low detection profile. The design of structures is planned using composite materials, as well as low-profile electric or hybrid power plants. The goal is to significantly reduce the acoustic and thermal footprint, which is critical for the survival of equipment under heavy fire. This direction is integrated into the updated list of 53 priority defense technologies of Brave1. Competing with aerobikes in this list are robotic humanoid platforms, local air defense laser systems, and directed microwave radiation devices. ### Funding Mechanism and Legal Framework The implementation of the initiative will be carried out through an updated system of state defense grants. As of 2026, the Brave1 cluster acts as a single window for technology verification, coordinating work between developers, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. Funding will be allocated depending on the confirmed Technology Readiness Level (TRL). The current status of the project is the stage of collecting scientific and technical proposals and conducting R&D analysis. Relevant departments emphasize that concepts are being reviewed from a pragmatic cost-effectiveness perspective. The systems being developed must be comparable in cost to standard ground delivery means while significantly reducing risks to personnel. All technological solutions passing through the Brave1 platform are subject to mandatory state expertise for compliance with secrecy and export control requirements. Access to new types of weapons for operation is regulated by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 345, which regulates the simplified testing procedure under martial law. At the moment, no official comments from the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense regarding specific timelines for the appearance of prototypes at test ranges have been received.