Source: zelenskyy_official on Instagram
A member of one of the two FPV groups within the 3rd. Special Forces Regiment prepares to launch a Dart loitering munition. The Dart is a Ukrainian design which first appeared in large numbers beginning in 2024. It is relatively inexpensive to build, having a production cost of around $1,000USD per unit. The Dart is being deployed by other units, to include the 92nd. Assault Brigade “Ivan Sirko”, the 93rd. Mechanized Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar”, and the 109th. Mountain Assault Battalion (element of the 10th. Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss”) among others. A portion of the acquisition costs for the Dart is coming from private sources, received to the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation who then purchases the drones for distribution to units.
Specifics on the Dart are a bit difficult to come by, let alone the name of the Ukrainian company that developed and currently produces the Dart. Power comes from a nose-mounted electric motor that drives a two-bladed propeller. The top speed is reported to be 99 miles per hour. The Dart has a length of 4.9 feet with a wingspan of 6.2 feet. The inexpensive camera for the visuals is fitted into the left wing.
For range, the Dart is said to be able to achieve a maximum of 31 miles with its onboard battery charge. However, to attain this maximum, the Dart must be within the influence of a signal repeater (also called a relay). This repeater, which can be ground-based or fitted within a drone, is used to boost the strength of the command/control signals coming from the operator's controller and relaying them to the drone. Likewise, the repeater does the same thing with signals coming from the drone back to the controller. The effect is increasing the range of the signal, thereby increasing the range of the drone assuming it has the endurance capability to make use of the added range. The Dart is equipped with ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) to make its electronics resistant to jamming.
For payload, the Dart can carry an explosive charge with a weight between 6 to 8 pounds. This charge is carried externally, beneath the fuselage, and secured using zip-ties. To get airborne, the Dart can be hand-launched or it can be flung into the air using a lightweight catapult.
For defenses, the Dart is equipped with ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) to make its electronics resistant to jamming. The Dart is also capable of being struck by small arms fire and assuming nothing critical is hit, the Dart can be punctured and maintain airworthiness.
