Buntar-3: New Ukrainian Reconnaissance Drone Readied for Delivery

The Ukrainian Defense Forces are set to receive the Buntar-3, a new reconnaissance drone designed with advanced automation and artificial intelligence features.

Militarnyi’s journalist reported this news from the presentation by Buntar Aerospace.

Buntar Aerospace announced that the drone has completed testing, was codified by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, and is now ready for large-scale deployment.

The Buntar-3 is the third iteration of the system, refined through combat trials to improve reliability and operational effectiveness.

“We’re now at the stage where we can confidently say Buntar-3 is ready for full-scale combat use,” a company representative shared. “These drones are not just flying, they’re helping destroy targets and gather critical intelligence.”

The Buntar-3 is an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) drone capable of operating without satellite navigation. The company claims it can fly missions lasting up to 3.5 hours — a record for electric VTOL systems.

The unmanned system was created to search for priority targets and adjust fire at operational-tactical depth, so a significant part of the resources was focused on the reliability of communication systems – the range of reliable operation reaches 80 km. An additionally integrated camera expands this radius, allowing it to work on targets at a distance of 15 km, outside the defeat zone.

“Unfortunately, now we often see significant interference from enemy (and sometimes our) electronic warfare, which makes the mission impossible. We built a system that combines powerful modems, optimized frequency bands, custom antennas, and robust software to ensure performance even in contested environments,” the developers shared.

The Buntar-3’s standout feature is its custom-built software, which integrates artificial intelligence to reduce operator error — one of the leading causes of UAV losses. The system includes a virtual Copilot that automates many tasks typically managed manually.

“In the combat zone, the operator can’t afford mistakes. But humans get tired, anxious, and distracted,” the company noted. “That’s where Copilot steps in — enhancing situational awareness, highlighting risks, and assisting with both planning and real-time decision-making.”

Copilot offers scenario-based mission planning, factoring in wind conditions, altitude, battery life, and communications resilience. It can forecast when to launch replacement drones to ensure continuous surveillance of high-value targets.

The system also allows one operator to manage multiple drones from a single terminal, significantly reducing personnel workload and enabling uninterrupted round-the-clock reconnaissance.

One of the drone’s key innovations is its complete abandonment of GPS navigation. Instead, Buntar-3 relies on optical navigation and signal triangulation to determine its position.

The drone’s software suite also integrates with the Signal messaging app, allowing for file visualization and coordination with adjacent units.
Buntar Aerospace confirmed it is preparing for serial production. According to the developers, the company held off mass manufacturing until the drone was thoroughly tested and combat-proven.

“We’ve gone through three iterations. Now we’re ready for scale,” the company noted. “We’re already seeing demand from multiple units and have begun signing contracts. While we’re not disclosing production volumes for security reasons, we’re confident in our ability to scale — it’s a matter of resources and management.”