AEVEX, Supplier of Phoenix Ghost Drones to Ukraine, Wins USA Contract

AEVEX has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army following its delivery of Phoenix Ghost family drones to Ukraine.

The company reported that the contract is worth $88.1 million.

AEVEX did not disclose the details of the order. However, the company already has several finished products from the Phoenix Ghost family, primarily the Disruptor and Dominator drones.

It was previously reported that both models in this family were spotted during the Russia-Ukraine war.

Disruptor UAV

The Disruptor is a Group 3 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) according to the U.S. classification system. It is 3 m long with a wingspan of 4.8 m. The design features a tubular carbon-fiber fuselage with two straight wings and a V-shaped tail.

The maximum takeoff weight is 84 kg when launched from a pneumatic catapult, but can be increased to 93 kg when using a rocket booster. The Disruptor can also be launched from a vehicle.

An internal combustion engine with a two-bladed propeller provides the Disruptor with a flight duration of up to 4.5 hours and a target engagement range of up to 600 km with a 22.5 kg warhead. The company also offers a version with an alternative powerplant that provides a flight duration of over 14 hours and a range of up to 1,400 km.

Dominator UAV

The Dominator is a long-range kamikaze drone that can be launched even from a short runway. It is most often launched using a pneumatic catapult developed by AEVEX for all models in the Phoenix Ghost family. The launch system is so compact that it can be transported in a Sprinter van while still maintaining sufficient power.

In terms of length and wingspan, the Dominator is virtually identical to the Disruptor, but it has a different aerodynamic configuration with an inverted V-shaped tail.

Drones in the Phoenix Ghost family use an advanced visual navigation system and alternative PNT technologies that ensure precise positioning, target tracking, and guidance even in the absence of or when GPS signals are degraded.

They are also equipped with a modular payload system for high-precision strikes, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) missions, and electronic warfare, as well as an open architecture that allows for the integration of third-party sensors, software, and effectors.