This kamikaze drone is Ukraine's new secret weapon against Russia: it can attack targets 1,600 km away.
In recent years, drones have become a key tool in armed conflicts thanks to their low cost, versatility, and ability to operate without risking human lives. In the war between Ukraine and Russia , the use of these unmanned aircraft has evolved rapidly, with both sides employing them to gain an advantage on the battlefield , especially in areas where soldiers cannot reach.
Now, Ukraine has unveiled the FP-1 , a long-range drone designed to attack strategic targets at great distances. According to Mezha Media , it's capable of flying up to 1,600 kilometers and carrying a warhead of up to 120 kilograms . Its modular design allows the payload weight to be adjusted to the desired range, giving it significant flexibility.
The FP-1 does not use conventional landing gear , but is launched with the aid of a fuselage-mounted booster rocket, eliminating the need for a runway. This reduces its weight and allows it to be deployed from different locations. It also uses commercially available components , facilitating large-scale production and adaptation to different types of missions.
It is believed to be able to operate without relying on GNSS (such as GPS), using terrain-following navigation and encrypted telemetry, allowing it to evade both S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft systems and electronic warfare tools deployed by Russia.
The drone was developed by UAC, a Ukrainian-Czech company, and is already in mass production. As announced by President Zelensky in late 2024, the Ukrainian government plans to manufacture at least 30,000 long-range drones by 2025.
In addition, it has been learned that attacks have been recorded with the FP-1 before its official presentation because On January 24 and March of this year, fragments of the drone were found after attacks in Russian regions such as Saratov, Moscow, Voronezh, Kaluga, and Tula.
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