Ukrspecsystems Shark

SHARK (Ukrainian: ШАРК) is a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle created by the Ukrspecsystems company^[2] for monitoring and adjusting fire on the battlefield. The UAV is equipped with a highly reliable communication module (AES256 encryption), which allows it to penetrate into the enemy's rear up to 80 km under EW conditions. The Full HD optical-electronic surveillance complex with 30x optical magnification and an additional 3x digital zoom enables surveillance at a distance of up to 5 km from the drone to the target.^[3]

Shark
Shark drone
Role	Reconnaissance UAV
National origin	Ukraine
Manufacturer	Ukrspecsystems[1]
Introduction	2022
Primary user	Armed Forces of Ukraine

Approximate cost - US$325,000 (Three UAVs and a vehicle with a command post).

Description

Shark combines the war-tested technologies and experience of using larger operational-tactical UAVs of the PD-1 and PD-2 series in combat conditions. The UAV is launched from a catapult and has an operational range of up to 80 km, rising to a height of up to 3,000 meters. Its maximum speed is 130 km/h, cruising speed is 75 km/h, tipping speed is 60 km/h. Landing is carried out using a parachute.

UAVs are able to adjust large-caliber artillery for a long time, resistant to EW countermeasures and difficult weather conditions. It is possible to operate multiple units from a single station.

The complex of BpAS "Shark" includes:

• 3 UAVs
• Ground launcher
• Additional equipment

History of creation

The Ukrspecsystems company began work on the Shark UAV in the face of a full-scale Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, and flight tests began less than six months later.^[4]

Specifications[5]

Characteristic	SHARK UAS
Communication range	80 km
Cruise speed	75 km/h
Maximum flight speed	130 km/h
Maximum flight range	~300 km
Stall speed	60 km/h
Ceiling	3000 m
The weight of the device	12.5 kg
Wingspan	3.4 m
Operating temperature	from −15 °C to +50 °C

Camera system

Different video recording modules can be installed on the aircraft: USG-231 and USG-231-T.

Characteristic	USG-231	USG-231-T
Appointment	Day vision camera Full HD with 30x optical zoom	Night vision camera with an uncooled thermal imaging module
Digital approximation	3x	4 p
Digital stabilization	Yes	Yes
Protection against fogging	Yes	No
Video recording and storage aboard	Yes	Yes
Rotation along the axis	No	360°
Size, mm	105×107×120	105×107×120
Weight, g	590	635

Operators

•  Ukraine

Combat use

In 2022, Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation announced the purchase of a SHARK UAV for Ukraine's Armed Forces. By 2023, they had acquired three SHARK systems. On November 1, 2022, OKKO and the "Come Back Alive" Foundation initiated^[6] a fundraiser to buy 25 SHARK systems, totaling 325,000,000 UAH or 13 million UAH per system.^[7] These systems include 75 UAVs, 25 Torsus vehicles from Pulsar Expo with control points, and 25 launch setups. A notable project involved retrofitting the Torsus Terrastorm vehicle for remote piloting. This upgraded vehicle is optimized for wartime, offering efficient operations in any weather and rapid deployment.^[relevant?]