Ukrainian company Vyriy Industries has unveiled an upgraded version of its Sokil reconnaissance unmanned aircraft. The updated UAV features increased range and endurance, improved airspeed measurement performance, and a new automatic target-tracking function. The company reported this on social media.
According to the developers, the drone’s maximum flight time in the new version has increased from three to four hours. Range on a single charge has been extended from 195 to 260km, while the communications radius has grown from 70 to more than 100km.
In addition, the Sokil has been fitted with a heated Pitot tube. It is part of the UAV’s airspeed measurement system, whose readings pilots use for stabilisation and automatic control. The upgrade is intended to prevent the tube icing up in low temperatures and to ensure the system works correctly in winter.
Another update is an automatic target-hold function. The operator will be able to select an object, after which the camera will track it automatically and keep it centred in the frame, the developers said.
Vyriy Industries also said it will provide additional batteries free of charge for previously delivered Sokil systems. This will allow their flight time to be increased to four hours. The batteries will be supplied to all units that already have these UAVs.
The upgraded Sokil is available to order on the military marketplaces Brave1 Market and DOT-Chain Defence. The price of a single airframe is UAH 230,000, while the aviation system costs UAH 1,266,000. The first deliveries are planned for December.