Ukrainian drone manufacturer F-Drones has unveiled its new F-CAPTAIN strike drone, designed to engage high-value targets at ranges of up to 100 kilometres, the company said.
The drone has a maximum take-off weight of 27 kg and a wingspan of 3 metres. It is powered by an electric motor and is equipped with both daytime and thermal imaging cameras for reconnaissance and target acquisition.
"It features GPS-independent navigation, jam-resistant communications, a Last Mile guidance system and autonomous target recognition that ensures the mission is completed. It reminds the enemy that the concept of a deep rear is relative. It carries 10 kilograms of arguments," the company said.
According to the manufacturer, F-CAPTAIN can operate without GPS using proprietary software and is capable of working alongside radar and air defence systems. It supports Starlink connectivity as well as both digital and analogue video transmission. If communication is lost, the drone is designed to identify its target autonomously during the final stage of flight and complete the strike using its Last Mile guidance module.
"Mid-strike drones have already become true game changers at this stage of the war. The key targets for our CAPTAIN are radar systems, air defence assets, ammunition depots, command posts and enemy logistics. These are exactly the kinds of targets whose destruction significantly degrades the enemy's capabilities," said Stanislav Khutor, CEO of F-Drones-UA.
The company says the name reflects the drone's role on the battlefield: FPV drones are the "sergeants" operating on the front line, long-range heavy drones are the "generals" striking deep behind enemy lines, while the F-CAPTAIN is the "mid-ranking officer" operating at tactical depth. According to the developers, conventional FPV drones are ineffective at distances of around 100 kilometres, while heavy strategic drones are too expensive. F-CAPTAIN is intended to fill that gap.