Ukraine's SkyFall unveils StarGate drone to evacuate wounded soldiers
Kyiv-based defense technology company SkyFall demonstrated its StarGate aerial medical evacuation drone to press, showing the craft lifting off with a person carried in an enclosed pod suspended under the chassis. SkyFall says StarGate can carry up to 150 kilograms, has a one-way range of 15 kilometers, cruises at 65 km/h and tops out at 105 km/h, can be deployed in about 10 minutes, and has a basic price of $50,000. The drone carries anti-drone nets and electronic jamming, and according to a SkyFall spokesperson it has AI functions that let it operate fully autonomously when GPS is denied or signals are spoofed or blocked, though it is normally flown by a remote operator. The company says the concept came from a commander of the 475th Separate Assault Regiment seeking safer evacuations, and that it aims to build around 1,000 units per month by the end of 2026.
SkyFall says StarGate could shorten battlefield evacuation from hours or days to minutes and keep rescue crews out of harm's way, with autonomy intended to keep it flying under GPS jamming.
- Ukrainian defense technology company SkyFall unveils new aerial medical evacuation drone
- StarGate can collect an injured soldier and fly them to the nearest medical unit
- StarGate has a one-way range of 15 kilometers, can fly autonomously, and is equipped with countermeasures
Ukrainian military personnel could soon be lifted off the battlefield by drone. Kyiv-based technology company SkyFall invited press to see its StarGate drone in action, demonstrating the carrying of a person suspended under the chassis.
A StarGate craft can carry a payload of up to 150 kilograms (330 pounds), enabling a single ground operative in body armor and with combat equipment to be rescued. The aerial medical evacuation drone can be deployed in about around 10 minutes and is equipped with anti-drone nets and other countermeasures.
Capable of a 15 kilometers range, the StarGate can travel at speeds of up to 65mph, and each craft has a basic price of $50,000, with various configurations available.
Automated evacuation
Unveiled to with a press demonstration, the StarGate was seen lifting off carrying a human in the enclosed pod underneath the craft. It has a 65 km/h (40 mph) cruise speed and can reach speeds of up to 105 km/h (65 mph), although its 15 km range does mean it needs to operate within a relatively small area.