Germany Develops FPV Drone for Various Munitions, Now Striking russian Forces in Ukraine

The German defense company Donaustahl presented its new FPV drone MAUS at the ILA air show held earlier this month in Berlin. It is positioned as a "fully modular, economical, reliable, and easy-to-operate platform" that requires minimal operator training.

As reported by Army Recognition, the MAUS platform is a versatile quadcopter designed to carry out both reconnaissance and strike missions, including use as a kamikaze drone.

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The MAUS drone is designed as a user-friendly loitering munition. It typically carries a payload up to 2.7 kg, sufficient to transport an RPG-type rocket with a slightly reduced range of about 7 km. Additionally, the drone is equipped with a high-resolution camera, enabling it to provide clear, real-time images of the battlefield.

As stated in the publication, "The MAUS has a lifespan of 5–6 missions in bombing operations before ending in a suicide mission, having been converted into an 'FPV' drone. The modularity is made extremely simple by a straightforward attachment system change, which is within the user's reach and does not require any real training."

The publication also notes that today the MAUS drone is already being used by Ukrainian forces on the battlefield and reportedly has received positive feedback, claiming it is better than "homemade" drones.

"Today, this modular platform is being used with very positive feedback by Ukraine, to the extent that there are plans to integrate AI to make the drone relatively autonomous," Army Recognition noted.

According to the publication, the cost of MAUS is less than 1000 euros.

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