US Army Acquires Long-Range Ukrainian Surveillance Drones in $10.6m Deal

The US Army is set to acquire Ukrainian-developed Raybird reconnaissance drones under a $10.64 million contract, in a further sign of Kyiv’s growing prominence in drone warfare. The contract was awarded to Skyeton Inc., the North Las Vegas-based US subsidiary of Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyeton, according to a Pentagon announcement. JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Under the deal, the company will deliver Raybird drones and supporting equipment to Redstone Arsenal, the US Army’s weapons development and testing center in Alabama, by December 15, 2026. The number of aircraft ordered was not disclosed. Also known as the ACS-3, the Raybird is a medium-sized reconnaissance drone that has been operated by the Ukrainian military since 2018. Skyeton says Raybird systems have accumulated more than 350,000 combat flight hours. The aircraft is launched using a catapult and recovered by parachute. It can remain airborne for up to 24 hours, travel as far as 2,500 kilometers and transmit live data over distances exceeding 200 kilometers. Surveillance behind enemy lines The Raybird can carry up to 6 kilograms of equipment, including surveillance cameras, radar and sensors designed to locate enemy radio signals. Ukraine has used Raybirds to conduct surveillance deep behind Russian lines, including locating air-defense systems and long-range weapons. Information gathered by the drones can then be passed to artillery units or attack-drone operators. Other Topics of Interest Russian Ballistic Strikes Hit Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih and Pavlohrad, 3 Wounded Industrial facilities were hit in three Dnipropetrovsk region cities, sparking fires as emergency crews responded overnight. Skyeton says the Raybird’s protected communications systems allow it to operate amid heavy electronic jamming. Ukraine has emerged as a major force in drone development and warfare, building a fast-growing industry shaped by direct battlefield experience. The country now has around 450 drone producers, while its broader defense sector comprises more than 1,000 companies. TVP World is Poland's first English-language channel where you can find our guest interviews, world news from the Polish perspective and the latest news from the CEE region.