Ukraine reveals Bullet interceptor drone to target Shahed drones and air defense systems.

At Enforce Tac 2026 in Germany, Türkiye’s Archon Defense presented the Bullet modular tactical UAV developed by Ukraine's Degree Trans LLC.

At Enforce Tac 2026 in Germany, Türkiye’s Archon Defense presented the Bullet modular tactical UAV developed by the Ukrainian company Degree Trans LLC. The UAV is designed for interception, strike, and reconnaissance missions in contested environments. Development reflects operational feedback from combat use in Ukraine and includes plans for joint production targeting NATO and allied defense procurement.
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The Bullet drone can engage aerial targets, including reconnaissance drones, Shahed-type loitering munitions, as well as ground targets such as radar systems, air defense systems, rocket launchers, transport vehicles, and fuel storage infrastructure. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

During Enforce Tac 2026 in Germany, Türkiye’s Archon Defense presented the Bullet modular tactical UAV developed by the Ukrainian company Degree-Trans LLC, which is intended for interception, strike, reconnaissance, and hybrid operational missions in contested environments. The tactical UAV integrates Archon's payload systems and follows a modular architecture designed to support rapid payload replacement and mission reconfiguration. The design seems to combine extended operational reach, rapid field deployment, and mission adaptability within a single airframe. Development reflects operational feedback from ongoing combats in Ukraine and focuses on enabling rapid mission turnaround between sorties. The Bullet, which seems to have progressed beyond prototype development, will likely be intended for scalable production and operational deployment.

On October 16, 2025, U.S. aerospace company AIRO Group Holdings and Bullet, the brand used by Ukraine’s Degree-Trans LLC, signed a Letter of Intent to establish a 50-50 joint venture to manufacture high-speed interceptor drones for the United States, NATO members, and Ukraine. The program focuses on transferring combat-tested Ukrainian interceptor technology into Western manufacturing infrastructure. The interceptor UAV reaches speeds up to 450 km/h, carries payloads between 2.5 kg and 9 kg, and operates at ranges up to 200 km. Production plans include facilities in both the United States and Ukraine, while research programs aim to expand interceptor and strike variants of the aircraft family. The companies intend to pursue procurement contracts with U.S. defense authorities, NATO, and allied ministries of defense while coordinating technical requirements with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.

The UAV’s operational parameters include a mission range up to 150 km, payload capacity up to 5 kg, and a maximum altitude of 5,500 m. Launch readiness remains below seven minutes, enabling rapid deployment from dispersed positions or forward operating areas. Mobile launch systems support operations without fixed infrastructure and allow deployment from concealed field positions. The architecture incorporates a modular payload bay enabling installation of surveillance sensors, electronic systems, or weapon modules. Production concepts prioritize scalable manufacturing and integration-ready configuration to support rapid operational expansion.

Mission configurations for the Bullet include precision strike operations, long-range reconnaissance, and rapid response against time-critical targets. Distributed operations allow deployment from minimal infrastructure while maintaining operational flexibility across evolving missions. Payload-agnostic architecture allows the aircraft to switch between reconnaissance and strike roles depending on installed mission equipment. Integration interfaces supply power, control signals, and communication links for mission payloads. Secure communication architecture supports command, telemetry, and data exchange during operations.

Weapon payload concepts include reactive warhead technologies designed to increase destructive effects against armored or fortified targets. One configuration incorporates a nano-reactive metal foam liner infused with reactive materials, replacing inert casing elements. Fragment impacts ignite on contact with hard surfaces, generating heat exceeding 2,200°C together with fragmentation effects. Another configuration integrates a reactive pre-charge containing tungsten carbide spheres that detonate on impact and disrupt armored surfaces prior to shaped charge penetration. A third configuration enhances shaped-charge performance through reactive pellets, increasing heat and pressure effects during penetration.

The aircraft can engage aerial targets, including reconnaissance drones, loitering munitions comparable to Shahed-type systems, and helicopters operating at low speeds or low altitudes. Integrated navigation, homing technologies, and precision warheads enable engagement of aerial threats during day or night and in adverse weather conditions. The UAV can also strike ground targets including radar systems, air defense installations such as Buk and S-300 or S-400 units, rocket launchers, transport vehicles, and fuel storage infrastructure. Operational concepts include missions designed to distract, disable, or destroy enemy systems while supporting hybrid operations combining surveillance and strike capabilities.

Additional operational scenarios include maritime missions targeting radar, communication, and weapon systems aboard enemy ships. Integration with maritime drones enables launch from unexpected maritime positions and coastal areas. Missions may include targeting boats and supply vessels to disrupt maritime logistics. Strategic roles include disruption of airfield operations and aircraft carrier launch activities as well as detection and depletion of air defense networks. Additional roles include monitoring airspace, controlling maritime traffic routes, and protecting airfields, radar stations, critical infrastructure, and ammunition depots.

Interceptor variants reach speeds exceeding 400 km/h with operational reach above 100 km and flight endurance of 30 minutes. One-way missions can extend to 200 km. Encryption uses AES 128 and AES 256 standards to protect communications. Payload options include fragmentless, fragmentation, thermobaric, and electromagnetic warheads, depending on mission requirements. Navigation combines remote control, autonomous guidance, and homing capabilities with optional rocket booster integration.

Launch options include catapult systems, runway operations, and vehicle-based launch devices such as pickup trucks. Catapult launch systems enable takeoff from concealed field locations or restricted areas without runways. Launch control uses a secure wired control system with sealed connectors resistant to electronic warfare and radio interference. Operators can configure and launch the aircraft using a traditional control panel or a laptop controlling both the UAV and catapult from a single device. In case of communication disruption, the aircraft continues navigation using inertial navigation combined with optical odometry while onboard homing systems search for aerial targets before engagement or initiate a self-destruct sequence if no target is detected.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.