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Vector Reconnaissance Drone Got Shot 11 Times in Ukraine, Still Made It Back to Base

Vector reconnaissance drone  / Photo credit: Quantum-Systems
Vector reconnaissance drone / Photo credit: Quantum-Systems
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German-made Vector reconnaissance drone is a great example of how crucial it is to test military technologies in the harsh conditions of actual battlefield environments

Quantum-Systems, the company known for its reconnaissance UAVs primarily supplied to the Ukrainian Defense Forces, shared details of a combat episode where a Vector drone endured direct enemy fire from small arms.

In an interview with Defence Blog, the company's CEO Dave Sharpin said, during a mission in Ukraine, the drone was shot 11 times in total. Ultimately, the operator had to abort the mission after the enemy damaged the drone's payload mount.

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Despite this, the drone managed to return safely to base and is currently undergoing repairs to restore it to operational condition.

Sharpin emphasized the positive impact of real combat usage on further development of the Vector platform, noting that the drones have already logged thousands of flight hours in Ukraine’s challenging battlefield environment.

German Recon Drone
German reconnaissance drone Vector / Photo credit: Quantum-Systems

It’s worth noting that back in 2023, it was announced that Ukraine would begin producing spare parts and assembling German-made Vector UAVs domestically. In 2024, Quantum-Systems officially opened a manufacturing facility in Ukraine.

Previously, Defense Express reported that a unique acoustic artillery detector was also developed specifically for the Vector drone.

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