One of the largest drone manufacturers in Ukraine, Spaitech supplies a large number of its products both for the Armed Forces and abroad. In an interview with ITC.ua, chief designer Andrey Lipovoy told how the company has gone to large-scale production, what are the most popular products, and whether Iranian drones can help the Russians.
Spaitech appeared in 2012. Tell us how it was created? Were there stages in the development of the company?
Initially, the company consisted of several enthusiasts involved in aerial photography and the development of copters and aircraft for observation, for production, for filming clips, etc. There were already a number of developments even before the war began in 2014. In 2015, the company was named Spaitech. That is, these like-minded people rallied and decided to take everything seriously – they began to develop aircraft directly for the needs of the Ministry of Defense. At that time, they were explained exactly what kind of drones are needed, what tasks the aircraft-type drones face. And we directly started working with the Special Operations Forces (SSO) – these were our first customers, with whom we still have very good relations, because we have become one of the main suppliers of aircraft-type devices.
What was the first model?
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Our very first UAV is called SPARROW. It is currently our most mass-produced aircraft.
Is he only used as a scout?
Scout-spotter. It was originally developed as a reconnaissance aircraft, but now it has improved software elements that allow it to be used as a spotter.
That is, it is connected with some program that our gunners use?
Our software and its possibilities of use appeared even before the special programs for art “Nettle”, “Delta” appeared. Therefore, we have our own built-in functionality that allows us to make adjustments. The main feature of our company is that we are not drone manufacturers, we make unmanned systems that allow us to solve the problems of our customers. Therefore, we offer not just a flying drone on its own, but a system for collecting and analyzing data, storing and managing it. In addition, we additionally offer integration solutions into various systems, such as command and control, warehouse perimeter security systems, violation control systems on gas pipelines, etc. We develop this in a comprehensive manner and this is one of the main advantages.
That is, SPARROW is the most massive device for the Ukrainian army?
Currently, yes, but by the end of this year, WINDHOVER will be able to surpass it. So far, about 200 of our SPARROWs are flying at the front
Did you supply SPARROW abroad?
We supplied them to Asia, to the East, to the African continent. We had cooperation with partners from abroad, which were very fruitful for us, which means we went through a very big school. Of the Ukrainian manufacturers, we are the most experienced in the use of drones in non-standard conditions. We flew SPARROW LE and WINDHOVER drones in the Himalayas at an altitude of 5500 m, we flew them in the desert at a temperature of +55 degrees at dusk, we tested equipment at a temperature of -37 degrees in the mountains.
How has the company changed over the years, how has it developed?
When we handed over the first SPARROW contracts, there were about 25-30 people in the company. And now we have become about three times larger. We have outsources for engineering, software, integrations, communications. Since the drone is the top technology indicator of the world, it is impossible to be at the head of the development of all these areas. But in order to create the perfect drone, you must have these top elements in your product. Therefore, we directed our capabilities not to building up unique specialists in the creation of additional developments, but to cooperation with the best manufacturers.
We create quite a lot of electronics with our own hands, because we were not given the opportunity to purchase it on the market. After all, Ukraine was considered a third world country and no one believed that we could produce any technological projects. It is thanks to this that we began to do our own engineering and production of electronic components, which now helps us a lot during the semiconductor crisis. We are almost 100% owners of technology and all those components that make up our drones. All this is only ours and was developed by Ukrainian engineers.
That is, not China, namely in Ukraine, they are developing?
The development is completely Ukrainian. We cooperate with China, but they produce everything according to our drawings and according to the processes we specify. We use them only as a platform for production. First of all – China, but in general geography – half the world.
Did you say that WINDHOVER is your new development?
This drone allows reconnaissance at a distance of 5 to 12 km, depending on atmospheric phenomena. If the fog is not very strong, then you can calmly conduct reconnaissance and correct it somewhere at 12 km. This device allows, without crossing the zero zone, to conduct reconnaissance along the second or third line of enemy defense.
The shape of the drone itself is interesting – a triangle, with three engines. Is this your technology? Why exactly is this?
This quad consists of technologies that are maximally duplicated or allow the possibility of failure of any one individual component. Communication and cameras are duplicated. Engines are partially duplicated. For example, if the copter loses one engine, it will be able to continue on the mission. If the copter loses two engines that are located on opposite power beams of the structure, then it will also be able to land safely. We have a video on our YouTube channel showing our quad flying with one blade on each motor, so with 50% blade loss the copter continues to fly.
How much weight does he lift?
Now a load of two kilograms is useful. This is his optical system.
You have an interesting ARDEA model with a flight altitude of 2.5 km and a range of 40 km. Is it already in use too?
No, this model, as well as COLUMBA, was developed and tested its concept, but we did not continue their development, because there was no customer for these aircraft. Also, a more powerful ANSER drone with a range of 80 km was once developed for tenders that our border guards announced, but then jumped off this tender. And this project was also frozen. It was 2015-2016.
How competitive are our products against foreign models?
We took a very active part in international tenders and in a year we had about 4-5 tenders in which we took part around the world. We won several of them because technically we passed by the price. But in certain cases, we lacked documents confirming our ability or something like that, because different countries have their own requirements. For example, in England it is necessary that you have been on the market for at least 10 years in order for the state to start working with you. We had cases when we won. In general, we are very competitive around the world, we are always 30-40% cheaper than our competitors.
What about the price? For example, SPARROW
It is difficult to say, because each tender is a specific package, which is discussed directly with the customer. Someone wants two ground stations, five birds, and a five-year warranty, which then turns into 10 years. Someone wants one bird, one ground station and secure communications. Who wants an unsecured connection and a minimum package just to check out this model. Our complexes are non-fixed assembly. This is a drone created directly for the customer and his technical requirements. It can have a link that costs $500, or it can cost $15,000.
And who is your competitor in the Ukrainian market?
Before the start of the military invasion, which took place six months ago, in our class “Small unmanned systems”, where WINDHOVER or SPARROW is represented, we had no competition. Since we are the only ones in Ukraine that have passed the full range of tests and our equipment has been approved for use in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. But now Ukraine is pumping up and becoming a platform for testing many concepts from around the world, and many manufacturers provide their drones for free in order to check their work here. Therefore, it is difficult to say which of them will become our competitor in the classes that are now being created. Now they are being rewritten and changed for no reason. There are certain bureaucratic issues that have become an obstacle, primarily for Ukrainian manufacturers. Because another classification is being introduced and it contradicts the one that was previously adopted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
How does this classification work?
Previously, there were classifications – aircraft, which were divided into small, tactical, etc. Each class had restrictions on weight and size, on the time spent in the air. There was a separate division for multi-rotor platforms, describing what this drone should be, for example, WINDHOVER. And now a classification is being introduced that changes all this radically.
As for our products, it makes the class “Mini”, “Micro”. But the masses have already changed there. Where there was 3 kg, there was 2 kg of an unmanned aerial vehicle. Nothing is written about copters at all. They take them either there or there. Distances have also changed. For example, a model aircraft must fly either 500m in the Micro class or 25km in the Mini class. That is, this is a little wrong, because drones need different ones with different processing depths, and it’s wrong to drive all drones into two classes. This will not allow the market to develop and create unique models for a separate type of troops.
And who is pushing this new classification and why?
About two weeks ago there was a report by our Minister of Defense, where he presented a new concept for the development of drones. As I understand it, this report was prepared for him by a joint commission, which consisted of the Ministry of Digital Development and the Ministry of Defense.
Have you heard about the Mintsifra Drone Hackathon initiative?
It would be very interesting, but not in wartime, because doing such hackathons on the territory of Ukraine now is a repetition of the second Vinnytsia or the Dnieper, when there was a large gathering of people from certain branches of the military and rockets flew there.
What are the directions for the development of drones? What can be done with technology?
We are already on a certain path that will make us confident in the future and such products will be of interest to our users. Firstly, this year we became the first Ukrainian company to start integrating an object recognition system into its optical systems. Secondly, we have developments that allow cameras to independently determine enemy equipment and report this to the operator if he did not notice it. Thirdly, we have certain developments in autonomous flight systems that will allow our aircraft to feel more stable during the suppression of navigation channels. The third point: the development of special radio intelligence payloads.
WINDHOVER is a universal platform that has a universal interface for connecting third-party equipment. And we already had examples when we installed gas analyzers or systems for external collection of liquids for environmentalists there. Now we are developing systems of radio direction finders, universal radio receivers, repeaters, which will allow them to be used against the Russian troops. We are moving towards maximum unification and make our platform not by itself, but as flexible as possible and adjust to the tasks that our client has. It is for such modular solutions that there is a future.
That is, our future drone, no matter how perfect it is in terms of aerodynamics, with ideal batteries, no matter how long it flies, it is still a platform, it is a carrier of some kind of payload. And it is easy integration with these payloads that is the key to success in the future.
What can drones look like in 10-20 years?
These should be full-fledged assistants who will accompany the fighters. They will not have specific governing bodies. These will be full-fledged companions of a fighter, companies that perform the task autonomously, help as much as possible, give the maximum picture, partially perform the task of covering or, on the contrary, assault during certain missions. These should be autonomous robotic systems that are full-fledged partners of a soldier on the battlefield.
What can you say about Iranian drones? What developments do they have and how can they use them?
Two years ago, I never saw an Iranian company that would participate in international tenders for the supply of its drones to any country in the world, although we monitored these tenders around the world. In order to have a drone that performs the task, it is necessary that not only the combat coordination of the drones themselves, but also the team, take place. That is, they would solve all childhood diseases, and then they would be drones of the 3rd-5th generation, which can already fully perform their tasks.
For example, Ukrainian companies that have been producing drones for eight years in a warring country have the opportunity to test and solve the issues that soldiers face on the battlefield. And such global companies, leaders that enter the Ukrainian market and try to launch their drones so that they work, just fall. They cannot cope with difficulties and weather conditions.
Therefore, I doubt that Iranian drones have undergone combat testing. And if so, then they cannot effectively solve any problems. The intellectual component is also important. I doubt very much that they had access to the technologies that we are working with now: to that connection, to those sensors. And that they can really provide a high quality product. Yes, these can be some relatively high-quality handicrafts or some products made of sufficient quality from the point of view of a modeller or a person who has been developing some small airplanes all his life. But from the point of view of unmanned technologies, which should ensure 100% mission fulfillment, it is unlikely.
