The developer of the 'Bars' long-range jet-powered drones told RBC-Ukraine in an interview that link stability is the key and most difficult challenge in creating UAVs capable of striking targets deep in the enemy's rear. According to the engineer, it is the quality and continuity of the communication channel that determine the effectiveness of strike systems, and to date the company already has the ability to control drones online directly on enemy territory. This means that an operator can adjust the flight and targeting in real time, even when the aircraft is located beyond the front line at a considerable distance.
Artificial intelligence at every level: from design to the 'final mile'
The company actively uses artificial intelligence tools at every stage — from solving engineering problems during development to implementing machine vision in target-seeking systems. The developer emphasized that the use of AI has brought them 'quite significant results': on the so-called 'final mile' before the pilot, two clear options appear — either terminal guidance is handed over to the optical system, or the operator continues to fly the aircraft manually. This approach reduces the load on the operator and increases the probability of a precise hit on the target under conditions of jamming and limited time.
Modularity as the foundation of three application categories
The basic modular architecture of the 'Bars' allowed three main application categories to be identified: DeepStrike (deep strike), 'mid-strike' (medium range) and 'front-strike' (front line). It is precisely modularity that makes it possible to balance the amount of fuel against the warhead mass, creating several modifications of a single base drone for different tactical tasks. Further modernization, aimed at increasing the strike range and warhead mass, required only minor changes to the form factor: the foundation laid during the initial engineering calculations has been preserved.
Context: mass production and deliveries
As RBC-Ukraine previously reported, production of more than five thousand long-range strike drones for Ukraine has already begun in Germany. The first samples are ready, and the tested systems will enter the Ukrainian Armed Forces' service this year. In parallel, according to Ukrainian commanders, the Armed Forces are working out several options for countering jet-powered drones, including cheaper ways of intercepting them, which underscores the growing tactical importance of this class of UAVs on both sides of the conflict.
Contradictory data
No direct contradictions regarding the technical specifications of the 'Bars' were found in the provided sources. However, it should be noted that the claims about the possibility of online control on enemy territory and about the specific results of AI use in targeting are the developer's own statements and are not backed by independent technical tests made available in the public domain. Additional sources (UNIAN, Gazeta.ru) cover related topics — countering jet-powered drones and the attack on Moscow — but contain no data that contradicts or confirms the specific parameters of the 'Bars'.
