Exclusive: Ukraine Secretly Uses US-Made V-BAT Drone to Locate Russian SA-11 Air Defense for HIMARS Strikes.

According to information from the Defense One website published on October 31, 2024, Ukraine has secretly received advanced V-BAT aerial drones to bolster its battlefield intelligence and precision strike capabilities. The V-BAT, developed by the American-based company Shield AI, has been deployed to assist Ukrainian forces in locating and targeting a Russian SA-11 BuK-M1 mobile air defense missile system for destruction by HIMARS MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System). Brandon Tseng, president and co-founder of American Company Shield AI, revealed the drone's performance in a recent mission.
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A V-BAT unmanned aerial system is positioned after completing flight operations during Exercise III with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, on March 8, 2023. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

According to information revealed by Brandon Tseng, president and co-founder of Shield AI and published by the Defense One website, in August 2024, Ukrainian special operators near Dnipro encountered a critical challenge when Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems disrupted their traditional reconnaissance drones. As a solution, they employed the V-BAT, a drone specifically designed to endure the heavy electronic interference that has become prevalent on the Ukrainian battlefield.

Operating from 40 kilometers behind the front line, the V-BATs flew beyond enemy lines to locate and track a SA-11 Buk-M1 air defense missile system over 100 kilometers away. Once targets were identified, the drones relayed precise coordinates to artillery units, enabling the HIMARS Multiple Launch Rocket System to execute successful strikes.

The V-BAT's mission marked a significant test of its operational capability, as the drone not only collected and transmitted targeting data but did so under severe EW conditions. According to Tseng, this coordination—gathering real-time intelligence and relaying it to long-range artillery systems—demonstrated the V-BAT's unique adaptability in a modern electronic warfare environment. Unlike other drones capable of evading EW systems through onboard autonomy, the V-BAT offers data transmission over extended ranges, making it ideal for coordinating with high-powered artillery like the Lockheed Martin HIMARS.

The V-BAT’s extended range of up to 483 km (300 miles) and prolonged loitering capabilities gave Ukrainian forces a tactical advantage. Tseng emphasized that the Ukrainian troops previously relied on drones with limited endurance and range, often restricted to 60 to 100 kilometers and operational durations as brief as 10 to 15 minutes. In contrast, the V-BAT can loiter for eight to 11 hours, allowing for sustained surveillance and the ability to identify multiple targets over a single deployment.

The V-BAT is an advanced vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS) developed by Shield AI, a San Diego-based technology company specializing in autonomous defense solutions. Designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision targeting, the V-BAT is particularly suited for contested environments where electronic warfare (EW) interference is common, such as the current battlefield in Ukraine.

One of the V-BAT's standout features is its VTOL capability, which allows it to launch and land vertically. This design enables it to operate in confined spaces, such as dense urban settings or narrow clearings, without needing a traditional runway. Such flexibility allows military units to deploy the V-BAT closer to the front lines, making it highly effective in mobile, constrained environments.

The V-BAT can stay airborne for 8 to 11 hours, monitor targets over long distances, and maintain continuous surveillance. This extended loitering capability far surpasses that of many conventional drones, offering tactical advantages by allowing operators to observe and track targets for prolonged periods.

A crucial feature of the V-BAT is its resilience against electronic warfare. In modern conflict zones where EW systems are deployed to disrupt communications and reconnaissance, the V-BAT’s design makes it highly resistant to jamming and other interference tactics. This EW resistance is vital for maintaining reliable communication and data transmission, especially when it comes to gathering intelligence and designating targets in active, contested airspace.

The V-BAT is also distinguished by its ability to transmit real-time data over long distances, enabling it to provide actionable intelligence directly to artillery and missile systems. This capability allows it to support coordinated precision strikes by relaying accurate targeting information to systems like HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), thereby enhancing the effectiveness of these strikes in battlefield operations.

Compact and lightweight, the V-BAT is easy for small teams to transport and deploy, making it ideal for missions where portability and quick setup are essential. Additionally, the V-BAT features a modular payload system that can be outfitted with various sensors and equipment, such as electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, communications relays, and electronic warfare modules. This modularity makes it adaptable to various mission requirements, whether for reconnaissance, surveillance, or target designation.

Lastly, the V-BAT incorporates advanced autonomy features from Shield AI’s software, allowing it to operate independently and navigate complex environments without direct operator input. This autonomy also enables it to perform reliably in GPS-degraded conditions, ensuring that it can complete missions even in challenging operational scenarios.

The V-BAT's performance underscores the critical role that cutting-edge drone technology can play in modern conflicts, where electronic warfare and air defense systems are increasingly sophisticated. By integrating the V-BAT into its operational framework, Ukraine is enhancing its intelligence and strike capabilities and demonstrating the effectiveness of unmanned systems in countering advanced enemy defenses.