Ukraine showcased the SH-2: a low-observable drone with hybrid zoom and resistance to electronic warfare

Ukraine showcased the SH-2: a low-observable drone with hybrid zoom and resistance to electronic warfare

Ukrainian startup presented the tactical unmanned aerial system SH-2. This is a reconnaissance aircraft-type drone that, due to the use of commercial components, costs several times less than its counterparts, while having long range and resistance to electronic warfare (EW).

The new model was showcased at the Defense Tech Valley 2025 exhibition. The drone is already being supplied to certain combat units, reports Militarnyi.com.

SH-2 is capable of staying airborne for up to three hours and operating at a range of up to 60 km. For stable operation under EW conditions, it is equipped with three types of communication channels and uses its own inertial navigation system, independent of GPS.

The drone’s cruising speed is 19 m/s (about 68 km/h), and the maximum speed is up to 30 m/s (108 km/h). Its operating altitude is 3-3.5 km, making it difficult to detect by air defence. The UAV is resistant to wind speeds of up to 17 m/s. It is equipped with a gyro-stabilized camera with 30x optical zoom and 140x hybrid zoom, allowing observation from high altitudes. Video is transmitted in high quality (1060p) via two encrypted digital streams.

The device weighs about 10 kg. It is launched by hand and lands on its belly without a parachute. The autopilot enables flight along a predetermined route, with manual control mainly needed during landing. An effective operation recommends a crew of three operators. The standard training course lasts three weeks for novices and 1-2 weeks for pilots with related experience.

Currently, the share of Ukrainian components is small, but developers intend to localize the production of key elements such as engines and optics. They also plan to automate the landing process. The main competitive advantage of the SH-2 is its low cost, achieved by using commercial off-the-shelf parts. Current production capacities are limited to less than 100 units per year.