On July 27, Ukrainian company BlueBird Tech announced another update to the Bebradron aviation complex — a fixed-wing UAV used to strike targets at tactical ranges of up to 45 km.
According to the manufacturer, engineers implemented an auto-release mechanism for the pneumatic catapult: in auto-launch mode, the system now independently initiates the drone’s launch without a separate operator command, reducing the number of operations required at the launch position.
The second upgrade was a rotating mast mechanism that allows antennas to be pointed more precisely at the unmanned aerial vehicle. A wired connection for the ground control station was also added, intended to maintain the stability of the video feed and control channel under conditions of active enemy electronic warfare. The company also reported improvements to connectors, mounts, and the cable management system.
“We reviewed the design of the complex from the standpoint of reliability, manufacturability, and ease of maintenance. Everything was refined so that the complex could perform its mission reliably in demanding combat conditions,” the developers stated.
The Bebradron can be supplied as a standalone fixed-wing UAV or as part of a complete unmanned aviation complex, which includes the Vishchun-K1B ground control complex, a pneumatic catapult, and a balancing stand. According to BlueBird Tech, the payload specifications are gradually being updated as the platform evolves. The current payload capacity is 7.5 kg.