Shark (drone)

SHARK (Ukrainian: ШАРК) is a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle created by the Ukrspecsystems company for monitoring and adjusting fire on the battlefield. The UAV is equipped with a highly reliable communication module (AES256 encryption), which allows it to penetrate into the enemy's rear up to 80 km under EW conditions. The Full HD optical-electronic surveillance complex with 30x optical magnification and an additional 3x digital zoom enables surveillance at a distance of up to 5 km from the drone to the target.

Approximate cost - US$325,000 (Three UAVs, a vehicle with a command post).

Description
Shark combines the war-tested technologies and experience of using larger operational-tactical UAVs of the PD-1 and PD-2 series in combat conditions. The UAV is launched from a catapult and has an operational range of up to 80 km, rising to a height of up to 3,000 meters. Its maximum speed is 130 km/h, cruising speed is 75 km/h, tipping speed is 60 km/h. Landing is carried out using a parachute.

UAVs are able to adjust large-caliber artillery for a long time, resistant to EW means and difficult weather conditions. Several UAVs capable of operating in difficult weather conditions can be controlled from one station

The complex of BpAS "Shark" includes:


 * 3 UAVs
 * Ground launcher
 * Additional equipment

History of creation
The Ukrspecsystems company began work on the Shark UAV in the face of a full-scale Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, and flight tests began less than six months later.

== Specifications ==

Camera system
Different video recording modules can be installed on the aircraft: USG-231 and USG-231-T.

Combat use
In 2022, Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation announced the purchase of a SHARK UAV for Ukraine's Armed Forces. By 2023, they had acquired three SHARK systems. On November 1, 2022, OKKO and the "Come Back Alive" Foundation initiated a fundraiser to buy 25 SHARK systems, totaling 325,000,000 UAH or 13 million UAH per system. These systems include 75 UAVs, 25 Torsus vehicles from Pulsar Expo with control points, and 25 launch setups. A notable project involved retrofitting the Torsus Terrastorm vehicle for remote piloting. This upgraded vehicle is optimized for wartime, offering efficient operations in any weather and rapid deployment.