Raybird: a small ‘birdie’ with the capabilities of a large aircraft

The ability to see better and farther is a key requirement for reconnaissance and intelligence services in modern warfare. This helps save the lives of service members and their equipment.

For this reason, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) have become an integral component of reconnaissance and intelligence operations. On the front lines, domestically developed systems are being actively deployed, boasting technical specifications that surpass those of their global counterparts.

Among them is the Raybird unmanned aerial system (commonly known within the military as ACS-3), the introduction of which has led to a reclassification of existing UAVs. This is because this small aircraft, weighing up to 25 kg, can perform missions typically reserved for much larger systems.

The Ukrainian Raybird has amassed significant combat experience: over 350,000 hours of operational flight time and dozens of daily missions. This reconnaissance aircraft can remain airborne for up to 28 hours and cover distances of up to 2,500 km. With such capabilities and a compact design, it can evade enemy air defense systems and areas of active electronic warfare (EW), enabling high-quality visual reconnaissance from altitudes of up to 5.5 km, along with other tasks.

Thanks to its modular design and compact size, this UAS can be deployed for a variety of missions. It does not require specialized conditions for takeoff and landing and offers a high degree of field repairability—damaged components can be replaced in a matter of minutes.

The system supports interchangeable payloads, which can be swapped in one minute, including:

• Gyro-stabilized multi-sensor gimbals with laser designators;
• High-resolution photo cameras;
• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems;
• Various types of loitering munitions;
• FPV drones.

The baseline Raybird model was developed in 2016, and by 2018, the ACS-3/Raybird UAS was officially adopted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Since then, it has undergone continuous improvements and upgrades.

A standout feature of one of the latest versions of the system is the integration of a laser guidance system for precision-guided munitions, achieving accuracy within one meter. This makes it the only UAV in its class equipped with such a system, and its effectiveness has been proven in actual combat scenarios. The laser targeting system functions at a safe distance from the target, ensuring precise engagement while safeguarding the host platform.

Combat operations in Ukraine have validated the Raybird’s reliability, resistance to electronic warfare measures, and operational cost-efficiency, making it a vital tool for defense and commercial applications. Additionally, with over 90% localization of production, the Raybird plays a significant role in bolstering the national economy.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine remains committed to supporting local developers and manufacturers of high-tech weaponry and military equipment.