Altair Technologies, a Ukrainian company, showcased its TOR drone at the MSPO 2025 exhibition in Poland. The system can function both as a reconnaissance UAV equipped with camera payloads and as a carrier for FPV drones — including anti-aircraft FPVs. Footage of the drone was provided to the Military Journal by an expo attendee.
While mothership drones for conventional FPVs are becoming increasingly common, the use of one to carry anti-aircraft FPVs is still rare. Yet this approach offers clear advantages.
Read more: From Recon Drone to FPV Mothership: How russia Uses Orlan-30
A mothership not only serves as a signal repeater but also conserves the FPV drone's battery by deploying it directly above the target. This allows the FPV either to fly farther or to carry a larger warhead by using a smaller battery.
For anti-aircraft FPVs, such an arrangement is particularly valuable, since these drones must remain as light and fast as possible. The mothership can deliver them to an altitude of up to 2 km and release at speeds of 150 km/h, meaning the interceptor itself can be smaller, lighter, and faster.
Drónok harca: A TOR anyadrón felkészítési és indítási folyamata, amelyet az ukrán Altair Technologies cég gyárt, és két légvédelmi FPV drónnal van felszerelve.#StandwithUkraine pic.twitter.com/hO8Khujrld— NAFO Hungary (@NAFO_Hungary) June 6, 2025
The TOR is available in two versions: one powered by an electric motor and the other by an internal combustion engine. The electric model is quieter and harder to detect, but has less speed, range, and payload capacity, whereas the combustion version offers the opposite trade-off.
Specifically, the combustion-powered TOR has a range of 400 km, a speed of 150 km/h, a maximum takeoff weight of 28 kg, and an operational ceiling of 2,000 meters. The electric TOR A can cover up to 150 km at a cruising speed of 72 km/h, with a 26 kg maximum takeoff weight and the same altitude limit.
For reconnaissance, TOR can be fitted with either a day or thermal imaging camera. Interestingly, the camera is mounted on the left wing, although it would be more typical to find it in the nose or middle section of the fuselage.
The drone is launched from a collapsible catapult and operated from a laptop. Like other mothership UAVs, it can also act as a repeater for FPV drones, extending their communication range and effectiveness.
Read more: Ukrainian Anti-Aircraft Drone Downs russian Orion UAV, a Carrier of Banderol Missiles and Bombs
