When the war between Ukraine and Russia began, there was the expectation that Russia would dominate the drone domain, much as they did in 2014. However, whether utilizing the Bayraktar TB2, the Switchblade, or various new commercially developed systems, Ukraine successfully employed drones to shape the battlefield. On February 19, Canada announced the addition of a new drone to the Ukrainian armada – the SkyRanger R70. This drone has the potential to be an important resource for Ukraine in the upcoming phases of the war, which characterized by a dynamic battlefield including urban operations and minefields.
While the SkyRanger R70 drone may seem like a standard quadcopter equipped with a camera payload, its price tag suggests a more intricate design. Indeed, the 800 drones included in the aid package are valued at approximately $67M. Originally developed by Aeryon Labs and now produced by Teledyne FLIR, the SkyRanger R70 is a versatile drone that can be used for a number of different mission sets. Despite only weighing 5 kg, it can carry payloads up to 3.5 kg, allowing it to support different payload configurations. Furthermore, the drone possesses a high degree of autonomy using computer vision for navigation, providing resilience against the counter-drone systems employed by Russia. Additionally, its ruggedized design enables it to fly in a range of challenging environments for durations up to 59 minutes.
The SkyRanger line of drones have been used by the search-and-rescue and law enforcement communities. They played a key role in relief efforts following the Fort McMurray wildfires, Hurricane Irma, and a 2016 earthquake in Ecuador. They are also currently being used by police departments around Canada including in Waterloo, Windsor, and Thunder Bay. Additionally, Teledyne FLIR markets the SkyRanger drones for defense applications including supporting tactical operations and providing persistent overwatch.
Arguably, the most powerful aspect of the SkyRanger R70 lies in its integrated optical sensors. Teledyne FLIR, a leading company in optical sensor development, pioneered the infrared thermal-imaging systems widely used in military applications. The SkyRanger R70 incorporates the company’s advanced optical sensors into various payload packages. These standard packages consist of long-wave infrared sensors, low-light cameras, and high-definition cameras. These sensors are coupled with advanced algorithms that enable real-time processing of video feeds. This capability allows the drone to detect, classify, and track targets at ranges up to 8 km.
Given the current dynamics of the war in Ukraine, the SkyRanger R70 could assume a pivotal role when the Ukrainian military receives the systems this spring. A central focus of the renewed Russian offensive is to capture towns in the Donbas and Luhansk regions. Urban warfare presents significant challenges, given the intricate nature of built-up areas, making it difficult for military forces to maintain effective situational awareness. In such environments, the SkyRanger R70’s compact design and advanced sensors empower Ukrainians to identify potential threats and track movements in real-time. Consequently, Ukrainian forces can pinpoint Russian troop concentrations, command posts, and key equipment, providing actionable intelligence for targeted drone strikes or precision artillery.
Another potential application for the SkyRanger R70 lies in the detection of mines. Mines generally exhibit different heat transfer properties than the surrounding ground, leading to slight temperature variations. The advanced thermal sensors equipped on the SkyRanger R70 could potentially pinpoint the locations of mines. The Ukrainians can then use this information to develop an optimal breaching strategy for a minefield. While the Ukrainians had previously demonstrated the effectiveness of such a technique, the arrival of the 800 SkyRanger R70 systems could enable them to implement it on a broader scale.
More generally, the SkyRanger R70 offers a high degree of versatility, even without the inclusion of its optical packages. The drone is able to carry an array of payloads including munitions. Further, the drone has a developer kit, allowing Ukraine’s growing defense industrial base to develop solutions to address their military’s immediate challenges. The drone’s high degree of autonomy and advanced processing systems, coupled with new payloads, could allow it to be used for an array of mission sets including gathering signal intelligence, performing precision strikes, or even conducting resupply operations.
The war’s evolution parallels advancements in drone and counter-drone technology. The forthcoming aid package from Canada, comprising of 800 SkyRanger R70 drones, will augment Ukraine’s growing fleet of drones. While Ukraine has received drones from various countries and developed its own, the SkyRanger R70 stands out for its heightened autonomy, advanced optics, and versatility. These attributes will allow it to be a valuable tool for Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia.
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