Ukrainian defense tech company General Cherry has introduced Sweetheart, a fixed-wing reconnaissance drone built to gather intelligence beyond the frontlines while resisting electronic warfare.
The unmanned aerial system (UAS) is currently undergoing combat testing with Ukrainian forces, with serial deliveries expected to begin later this year, according to local media.
Sweetheart can fly up to 150 kilometers (93 miles), remain airborne for nearly three hours, and operate at altitudes between 300 and 900 meters (984 and 2,953 feet).
The drone is hand-launched, eliminating the need for catapults or other bulky launch equipment.
Weighing only 4 kilograms (9 pounds), it boasts a 1.7-meter (6-foot) wingspan and carries a digital video link, a steerable zoom camera, a laser rangefinder, and an automatic target-tracking system.
The UAS is also equipped with jam-resistant communications and a low-signature airframe aimed at reducing detection during low-altitude flight.
Yaroslav Hryshyn, founder of General Cherry, said Sweetheart costs about one-sixth as much as reconnaissance drones with similar capabilities.
“We set ourselves the task of developing a reconnaissance aircraft that would be affordable, easy to use, and at the same time capable of performing complex tasks deep behind enemy lines. That is exactly what our Sweetheart is,” Hryshyn told Militarnyi.
“At this cost, the military will not be afraid to lose the aircraft, and in some cases, they will be able to deliberately send it in one direction to obtain critically important intelligence information.”
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