Ukraine Mass Producing Shahed-Like Kamikaze Drone

Defense News - Kyiv-based Terminal Autonomy has secured a contract to supply the Ukrainian Armed Forces with 50 AQ-400 Scythe drones each month, and there are ambitious plans to scale production to 500 units by 2024. Co-founder Francisco Serra-Martins expressed the company ultimate goal of manufacturing 1,000 units on a monthly basis, as reported by Forbes.

What sets the AQ-400 Scythe drone apart is its construction using "milled sheets of plywood from a network of furniture factories." This innovative approach to material selection distinguishes it from other drones on the market, including those made through 3D printing or composed of materials like fiberglass. The plywood construction facilitates a more scalable mass production process.

The drone boasts an impressive operational range of 750 to 900 kilometers (466 to 559 miles), depending on the engine variant chosen. This extensive reach places significant portions of Russian territory and the entirety of Crimea within its operational scope. Terminal Autonomy offers flexibility in engine options, allowing the drone to be equipped with either domestic or imported engines.

With a cruising speed of 140 kilometers (85 miles) per hour, the AQ-400 Scythe can accelerate to 200 kilometers (124 miles) per hour during its terminal stage, ensuring swift and effective mission execution.

Drawing parallels with the Iranian Shahed drone, the AQ-400 Scythe features a 42-kilogram (92-pound) warhead. This includes the option of a locally manufactured thermobaric warhead or a pair of 122mm artillery rounds that disperse shrapnel, according to insights from Serra-Martins as reported by Forbes. The drone modular bay supports various mission-specific payloads, and its compact design enables the stacking of 30 drones within a standard shipping container.

A notable aspect of the AQ-400 Scythe is its cost-effectiveness, with a base price of $15,000 or $30,000 when equipped with guidance systems. Additionally, the drone exhibits versatility in take-off options, capable of launching from short runways, such as roads, or utilizing rocket-assisted take-offs in scenarios where traditional runways are unavailable. This combination of features positions the AQ-400 Scythe as a formidable and adaptable asset in the Ukrainian Armed Forces drone arsenal.