Airbus Helped Create A Unique Drone For Ukraine
- 20.02.2026, 8:07
It combines low cost and mass production capability.
A new generation of target drones is getting combat capabilities: a German company has unveiled the RAT, which can be customized for Ukraine, combining system testing and potential use in strike operations.
This is reported by DEFENSE EXPRESS.
RAT drone target: rapid development and international cooperation
German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems demonstrated the RAT (Red Air Target) drone for the first time publicly at the Munich Security Conference from February 16 to 18.
The project was realized in close collaboration with aviation giant Airbus Defence and Space and took just six weeks from concept to first flight, which is noted as a record time for such developments.
Benefits and production plans
The drone combines low cost and mass production capability, and orders will be available from the end of the second quarter of this year, according to Quantum Systems' CEO.
RAT will be used for cost-effective software testing and CCA integration, acting as a "faithful wingman" drone for testing MOSAIC command and control systems.
Strike potential
The RAT has a visually similar modification with a warhead tailored to Ukraine's needs, the publication notes.
When a Ukrainian delegation visited the first joint venture of Quantum Frontline Industries, a variant of the drone with the livery of the Ukrainian Air Force was demonstrated, which suggests its transformation into a "mid-strike" drone.
Technical details
The drone is catapult-launched and equipped with a jet engine capable of reaching speeds of up to 450 km/h.
Tactical and technical specifications remain classified information, but the use of the RAT for testing and possible strike applications emphasizes the flexibility of the platform.
The history of transforming target drones into strike devices is already familiar to Ukraine: similar developments have previously allowed the MQM-178 Firejet and Tu-143 "Flight" to be adapted for combat missions.