RQ-20 Puma UAV: aerial reconnaissance of Armed Forces of Ukraine uses American drones

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are increasingly using foreign machinery and equipment to resist Russia’s full-scale aggression.

The information agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine ArmyInform reported about the use of American drones.

The aerial reconnaissance subunit of one of the military units in the Zaporizhzhia area is successfully using Puma unmanned aerial vehicles, which have been delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

These drones, along with the Switchblade kamikaze drones, and other weapons and equipment, are part of a package of aid from the United States, as it was previously reported by Militarnyi.

Ukrainian crews received required training and currently they are putting the new skills to use, operating this type of weapon on the front line.

RQ-20 Puma is a light military unmanned aerial vehicle created by AeroVironment. The RQ-11 Raven UAVs (previously shipped to the Armed Forces for their combat operations in the ATO/JFO zone) were used as a basis during the development stage.

American Puma unmanned aerial vehicles are equipped with the Mantis i45N optoelectronic system. It is a two-axis, gyro-stabilized multi-sensor system that combines conventional and thermal imaging cameras, each with a 6x zoom. The system detects the enemy both day and night.

This drone can also illuminate targets with a laser beam to aim high-precision weapons. The drone is launched by hand. It’s controlled by an operator, with an optional autonomous flight mode. The cost of the system is estimated at $250,000.

Specifications:

Length: 1.4 m
Wingspan: 2.8 m
Maximum take-off weight: 5.9 kg
Engine power: 1 hp
Top speed: 83 km / h
Cruising speed: 37 km / h
Range: 15 km
Flight duration: 2 hours

The aircraft was first used in 2007, and since 2008, it has been in service of the US Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces.

Puma is also used by the military in Albania, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.