Ukrainian defense company 'General Cherehnya' has unveiled a new product in its line of fixed-wing UAVs — the 'Sweetheart' reconnaissance drone. This development aims to meet the needs of modern combat for mobile, autonomous, and EW-resistant reconnaissance in the enemy's rear.

Concept of mass deployment

Company founder Yaroslav Hryshyn emphasizes that modern warfare requires mass technological solutions. 'Sweetheart' is designed as an affordable and easy-to-use device capable of performing complex tasks at a significant distance from the front line.

A key feature of the UAV is the lack of need for complex ground equipment for launch. The device is launched by a simple hand toss, eliminating the need for catapults or special launch systems. This significantly increases the mobility of the crews and the speed of deployment.

Technical specifications and payload

'Sweetheart' is a compact device weighing only 4 kg with a wingspan of 1.7 meters. Despite its small size, the drone boasts an impressive flight range of up to 150 km and an autonomous flight time of up to three hours.

Onboard, it is equipped with modern gear for intelligence gathering:

  • Digital video link resistant to interference.
  • Controlled camera with zoom function.
  • Laser rangefinder for precise target coordinate determination.

Developers have paid special attention to acoustic masking. Starting from an altitude of 50–70 meters, the drone becomes practically inaudible from the ground, which significantly complicates its detection by the enemy.

War economy and mass production

The company is betting on a radical reduction in the cost of reconnaissance complexes. The price of one 'Sweetheart' unit is approximately six times lower than that of most existing fixed-wing analogs.

Yaroslav Hryshyn explains the philosophy behind this approach: with low cost, command will not fear the loss of equipment, and in critical situations, the drone can be used as a disposable means to obtain vital information, sending it deep into the rear without the possibility of return.

Currently, 'Sweetheart' is actively undergoing combat testing in cooperation with Ukrainian military units. Mass deliveries are expected to begin in the autumn of this year.