Shark (drone)

SHARK ( Ukrainian "ШАРК" ) is a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle created by the Ukrspecsystems company[2] 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.[3]

Shark
Shark drone
Role Reconnaissance UAV
National origin Ukraine
Manufacturer Ukrspecsystems[1]
Introduction 2022
Primary user Armed Forces of Ukraine

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 BpLA
  • 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.[4]

Specifications[5]
Characteristic SHARK UAS
Communication range 80 km
Cruise speed 75 km/h
Maximum flight speed 130 km/h
Maximum flight range ~300 km
Dump speed 60 km/h
Ceiling 3000 m
The weight of the device 12.5 kg
Wingspan 3.4 m
Working temperature from -15 C to +50 C

Camera system

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

Characteristic USG-231 USG-231-T
Appointment Day vision camera

Full HD with 30x optical zoom

 Night vision camera

with an uncooled thermal imaging module

Digital approximation 3x 4 p
Digital stabilization Yes Yes
Protection against fogging Yes No
Video recording and storage

aboard

 Yes Yes
Rotation along the axis No 360°
Size, mm 105x107x120 105x107x120
Weight, g 590 635

Operators

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[6] a fundraiser to buy 25 SHARK systems, totaling 325,000,000 UAH or 13 million UAH per system.[7] 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.

References
  1. "Ukrspecsystems представив свій новий БПЛА SHARK UAV" (in Ukrainian).
  2. "Ukrspecsystems представив свій новий БПЛА SHARK UAV". Мілітарний (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  3. ""‎ШАРК" — новий український безпілотник для глибокої розвідки та коригування HIMARS". ITC.ua. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  4. "В Україні створили новий безпілотник для глибинної розвідки й коригування вогню (відео)". www.unian.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  5. "Ukrspecsystems представив свій новий БПЛА SHARK UAV". Мілітарний (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  6. ""ОКО ЗА ОКО". "Повернись живим" і ОККО запустили спільну ініціативу, щоб придбати 25 безпілотних комплексів "ШАРК" - savelife.in.ua" (in Ukrainian). 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  7. "ОКО ЗА ОКО – спільний благодійний проект ОККО і "Повернись живим"". 2022-11-18. Archived from the original on 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2023-09-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)


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