Ukraine says this drone can fly injured soldiers off the front line | About That
Ukrainian forces say they completed the world’s first front-line aerial drone evacuation of an injured soldier. Andrew Chang explains how, breaking down engineering challenges and physical risks behind the operation. Images provided by The Canadian Press, Reuters, Adobe Stock and Getty Images
Ukrainian defense tech firm SkyFall has unveiled a new StarGate drone designed to evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield quickly and safely. The StarGate can carry injured personnel up to a distance of 15 kilometers, with a one-way flight speed of up to 65 mph and up to 105 mph if necessary. The drone, which has a basic price of $50,000 per unit, can be deployed in just 10 minutes and is equipped with countermeasures against enemy drones to protect the rescue mission.
Background: The idea of the StarGate drone came from the front lines, as a commander of the 475th Separate Assault Regiment sought a safer method for evacuating wounded personnel. The drone, which was demonstrated live to the press, is capable of carrying a person suspended under its chassis and can accommodate payloads up to 150 kilograms (330 pounds). This includes a ground operative dressed in body armor and armed with combat gear.
Design: The StarGate drone has undergone multiple iterations before reaching its current form. SkyFall aims to produce around 1,000 drones per month by the end of 2026, potentially saving a significant number of lives in the process.
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