Ukrainian company Dark River has announced a new interceptor drone, the APUS-1, designed to neutralize kamikaze drones of the Shahed type and enemy reconnaissance UAVs. The device has already passed the testing phase and is entering service — according to the manufacturer, it is currently used by ten military units.
Technical specifications and capabilities
APUS-1 is a fixed-wing drone with a cruising speed of 140 km/h and a maximum speed of up to 320 km/h. It can operate within a radius of up to 50 km, stay airborne for up to 50 minutes, and carry a payload of up to 1.5 kg. Launch is carried out using a catapult, which allows the system to be deployed quickly even in field conditions.
The drone is equipped with a digital video link and a day vision camera. It supports autonomous navigation without GPS, as well as manual control. The complex requires only two operators to operate, and preparation for launch takes less than five minutes. The maximum operating flight altitude is 4500 meters.
Tactics of use and warhead
Target coordinates for the APUS-1 can be received in real time from radar stations or other surveillance systems. Target destruction is carried out either by direct kinetic impact or by detonating the warhead. If the mission is not completed, the drone returns to the launch area. If necessary, the self-destruct function is activated.
Status and commercialization
Currently, the APUS-1 is undergoing the codification procedure. On the state marketplace Brave1 Market, its price is 140,000 hryvnias. This makes it accessible to a wide range of users, including local armed forces and potential foreign partners.
Export prospects
Recall that on July 1, Ukraine introduced a simplified mechanism for exporting domestic weapons and military technologies to partner countries. The new model reduces the time for reviewing applications from manufacturers by three times — from 90 to 30 days. The simplified procedure applies to supplies to countries with which agreements have been signed in the Drone Deal format.
Thus, the APUS-1 not only strengthens Ukraine's own air defense capabilities but also becomes part of the country's export potential, capable of attracting partners around the world.
