Ukraine Develops Ground Robots That Launch Interceptor Drones

A Ukrainian company is beginning to assemble interceptor drones designed to launch from unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), with specialized launch boxes being developed for their deployment.Taras Ostapchuk, founder of Ratel Robotics, announced the plans in an interview with Forbes, as cited by RBC-Ukraine.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The company has previously demonstrated the launch of strike FPV drones from its ground robots. It now plans to adapt the concept to counter aerial threats.Ratel will initially focus on multi-rotor interceptor drones before moving on to fixed-wing, airplane-type models.The company is also developing launch boxes for deployment from UGVs and integrated software to enable data exchange between ground and aerial platforms.Under the concept, a UGV would carry interceptor drones to a designated position and launch them to engage enemy aerial targets.Ostapchuk told Forbes that integrating different types of unmanned platforms was a key direction in robotics development. By combining their capabilities, the systems could enable operators to perform a wider range of tasks remotely.Vsviti, which also cited the interview, reported that Ratel is currently focusing on multi-rotor interceptors that do not use jet engines. Fixed-wing drones are planned for a later stage.The company is also working on unified software for ground, aerial and, eventually, maritime unmanned systems. The software is intended to improve data exchange and interoperability between different platforms. Other Topics of Interest Russian Commander Complains NATO Testing Drones on Ukraine’s Front Line Russia’s Akhmat special forces accused NATO countries of using the war in Ukraine as a drone testbed against Moscow’s troops. As part of this effort, the company is testing an autopilot system for ground robots that it plans to adapt for aerial drones.According to Ostapchuk, Ratel has already invested approximately $200,000 in developing its aerial division. Developing fixed-wing drones could require several million dollars.Ukrainian troops have completed their first logistics mission using a domestically developed amphibious UGV, traveling more than 40 kilometers (nearly 25 miles) across land and water to deliver supplies to frontline positions, Ukraine’s defense ministry said.The vehicle can cross rivers, canals, and marshes without switching platforms, allowing it to continue operating where conventional ground robots might be unable to pass.Meanwhile, Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps has begun using unmanned ground vehicles for assaults on Russian positions. Its NC13 unit equipped kamikaze robots with Bullspike grenade launchers and deployed them against Russian troops, including positions inside shelters.The corps has also tested dropping UGVs from Gryphon heavy bombers and used robotic platforms to strike Russian positions and logistics targets up to 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) from the front line. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.