New Ukrainian Attack Drone Concept Has Russian UAVs, Tanks in its Sights
Air Combat Evolution (ACE), a new Ukrainian company has released a promotional video of its conceptual drone called ACE-1, in which it is shown shooting what appears to be the Russian Orion drone and T90 tank.
ACE-1 is claimed to deliver a combination of high-speed and low visibility, along with Artificial Intelligence (AI), swarming solution and the capability to deliver a mix of missiles and guided bombs from its two internal weapon bays. It can also function as a loyal wingman- fly alongside a crewed fighter aircraft in combat.
The ACE team is headed by Oleksandr Los, former director general of Antonov, and Volodymyr Usov, former head of the State Space Agency of Ukraine. Partners in the project are Ukrainian firms- Motor Sich, FED JSC, Hydrobest, Yuzhmash and French engine manufacturer, SAFRAN.
The ACE-1 will be capable of carrying weapons weighing up to 1 ton in internal compartments. It will be powered by two engines, the AI-322F turbojet made buy Motor Sich and Ivchenko-Progress. It will have a thrust of 2,500 Kgf and a dry weight of 560 kgs.
