LeVanta Tech and Ukraine Will Jointly Develop an Amphibious Drone

In collaboration with Ukraine, American LeVanta Tech is developing a drone that can both swim and fly.

The American company LeVanta Tech has announced the start of cooperation with Ukrainian partners in creating an innovative drone capable of simultaneously performing the functions of a sea and air vehicle.

Herman Smetanin, CEO of JSC Ukroboronprom, also announced the agreement on his Telegram channel.

In turn, Kelly Echols, CEO and founder of LeVanta Tech, emphasized in an interview with Militarnyi that the project has both technological and symbolic significance for both sides.

“Ukraine is a world leader among free countries in the field of unmanned technologies. There are many drones that fly and those that float, but very few that can do both. That is what we are creating,” Ackles shared.

According to him, the development is called Halia. It is a marine drone that can stay on the water surface for a long time with minimal visibility, and, if necessary, take off at high speed.

LeVanta Tech plans to conduct joint research and development with Ukrainian engineers to develop the first prototypes for testing directly in Ukraine.

If successful, the company is considering launching production at the Ukrainian facilities.

“We see a lot of potential here. If you are developing drones, why not be in Ukraine? You are the world’s best experts not only in technology but also in the tactics of their use,” the company’s CEO added.

According to Eccles, working in Ukraine is not only emotionally important, but also strategically important. After opening an office in Estonia, Levantatech plans to leverage its Ukrainian experience to accelerate projects in the Baltic States, Europe, and NATO countries.

“I feel like I left a piece of my heart in Ukraine. People here are fighting for their freedom, and I feel it’s my moral duty to help,” Echols summarized.

The company already collaborates with the US Air Force and Navy, and has contracts with the US Department of Defense. Therefore, the Ukrainian experience can strengthen LeVanta Tech’s position in the global defense technology market.

LeVanta Tech

LeVanta Tech is an American company based in Missouri that specializes in creating autonomous hybrid unmanned systems for civilian and military use.

In particular, the company develops sea-air UAVs – drones that can both stay on the water surface for a long time and fly.

Its flagship project, Halia, is focused on intelligence, surveillance, and strike missions in coastal and maritime operations. The system combines stealth technology with low visibility and high flight speed.

Ukraine recently held technical negotiations in the United States on an agreement on the purchase and production of Ukrainian drones.