"Once our drone destroyed a large Russian electronic warfare station" - Vadym Yunyk

The activities of the Aerorozvidka non-governmental organization, created in 2014, became especially relevant with the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, because a team of specialists is engaged in the creation and implementation of network-centric and robotic military capabilities for Ukraine's Security and Defense Forces. We are primarily talking about the 1st domestic R18 drone, which is an effective fighter against the invading Russian forces. 

Vadym Yunyk, head of the Aerorozvidka public organization's robotics department, told the Espreso.West journalist about the Ukrainian combat "bird" with 8 propellers.

Vadym, how R18 was created?

Around the end of 2015, we had the idea to create our own copters. We usually had to modify civilian drones used for filming movies or in the agricultural industry for our needs. So we set ourselves the goal of creating a military drone and the R-18 appeared as a prototype in 2017. In 2019, it already actively participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation Zone and destroyed armored vehicles, various enemy formations, as well as fortifications. There were many uses.

This development is the 1st Ukrainian military drone, isn't it? 

There are some components that we buy abroad: in Australia, the US, and China. But the main electronics were created by us, while the motors that are there were produced according to our development. In the next versions of R18, by the way, there will be engines exclusively of our production, which will be created at the Ukrainian plant. This will be the 1st drone to be equipped with a Ukrainian-made engine.

And who "writes" software up to R18?

There are two softwares. One thing is on board – the program for the flight controller – we take it abroad. And what is on the ground is completely ours.

Let's talk about technical characteristics.

The copter can be launched at a maximum distance of 8-10 kilometers. As for the height, it is not so important for multirotors (a drone with a large number of screws - Author). It can go up 3-4 kilometers, but we work in a much lower range. R18 can stay in the air for up to an hour.  Its weight with the battery is about 12-13 kilograms.

What is the cost of one such copter?

We include in the price not one copter, but a complex. These are two drones, two thermal imagers, a set of batteries, and a ground part.  All this costs about USD 45,000.

Aren't you planning to make your "bird" for export?

To be honest, we haven't thought about it yet.  We do not yet plan to make it for the foreign market. We still need to win our war.

What is R18 capable of? What are its main functions?

Initially, it was planned as a reconnaissance drone, but then we came to the conclusion that these functions are better performed by aircraft. Our drone performs both reconnaissance and destruction. We supply the copter to the military, and they are equipping it with shells. We have already made a universal suspension that fits a large number of different ammunition. Most of them fight against armored vehicles, therefore, as a rule, it is a cumulative projectile that can penetrate armored steel 3-5 centimeters thick.

But these are small munitions, aren't they?

Yes, they are.On average, each one weighs about 1.5 kilograms. The R18 carries up to three such munitions. It all depends on what the military has and what they like to use. Each division has its own preferences. By the way, one copter is controlled by 3 people - a pilot, a technician, and a sapper. And each has its own distinct function.

What feats can your octocopter show off in battles with the invading Russian forces?

There were many such results. The military, of course, does not tell us everything until the end of the war. But I know for sure that a large number of tanks and armored vehicles were destroyed. Once our drone destroyed a large Russian electronic warfare station. As you know, they are very well defended, but somehow we managed to beat it. Warehouses with weapons were destroyed. In general, there were various things. From the first day, R18 fought in Hostomel and destroyed Russian military columns. Now it performs combat tasks along the entire frontline.

How many R18s are currently in service with our military? How many were produced in total?

The word weapons for the military is a legal term, something that is actually accepted according to documents. In our case, not a single R18 is in service. All drones were made for charitable contributions - donations from people, companies, and sponsors - and handed over to the military. Now about 20 crews are fighting with our drone. And in total, about 100 such octocopters were created.

Interviewed by Petro Horodyskyi