Ukraine approves new D-21 ground drone for use
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has officially codified and approved the D-21 ground robotic system developed by FRDM GROUP for use in the army.
Here's What We Know
This drone has already demonstrated high efficiency at the Long-Range UGV Challenge, organised by the Brave1 cluster, where transport platforms from 50 domestic manufacturers competed.
The D-21 is a wheeled remote-controlled logistics platform. Its main purpose is to transport cargo and evacuate the wounded from the front line. It can operate in two modes: manual, when the operator controls it remotely, and automatic, when it follows a predetermined route.
The D-21 ground drone. Illustration: Ministry of Defence
During the first stage of the test, the drone had to cover a 10-kilometre stretch of difficult terrain with obstacles, including the effects of electronic warfare. Despite the stated maximum distance of 5,000 metres, the D-21 covered 5,800 metres, exceeding expectations.
In the second stage of the test, the drone demonstrated its payload and endurance. With a starting battery charge of 75%, it covered 18 km with a full load of 200 kg, which is significantly more than the declared technical standard at full charge.
The platform also allows for the installation of a remote-controlled combat module with a machine gun, which makes it possible to use the D-21 not only as a transport vehicle but also as a fire support vehicle.
Source: FRDM GROUP
