Ukrspeсsystems showcased an improved Mini Shark that flies for more than three hours

Ukrainian developer Ukrspecsystems presented an updated version of the Mini Shark reconnaissance aircraft. Compared with the initial design, the new drone can remain in the air for three hours and 45 minutes and conduct reconnaissance at a range of 55–60 kilometres, Militarnyi reports.

The system is very light and easy to operate. A recent test showed that a 63-year-old woman was able to master it in 10 days: she independently launched, landed and carried out various tasks in all weather conditions.

One of the main changes is the addition of a 360-degree camera. This means the operator no longer needs to constantly turn the aircraft to conduct high-quality reconnaissance. Optical and digital zoom makes it possible to track any vehicle at a distance of up to 5 km and to identify targets at a distance of 3–5 km. The drone is available in both thermal and daytime versions.

The Mini Shark is compatible with any ground equipment produced by the company, which facilitates training. The drone does not require a catapult for launch and can take off by hand, which makes it less visible. The system includes a ground control station, an antenna and a video transmission device. All of this can be transported in two backpacks.

According to the developer, not a single Mini Shark has been shot down by enemy air defence systems thanks to its size and stealth. The drone works effectively in tandem with FPV drones: the MiniShark locates the target, and the FPV drone destroys it. The MiniShark is used by units of the SSO, DIU, Ground Forces and the Alpha Special Unit.

Its main tasks are to scout the first and second lines of defence and to locate enemy UAV crews.

It is also worth noting that in the spring it became known that Shark-M reconnaissance drones took part in tests conducted by the Czech Ministry of Defence.