Ukraine presents ST-35 Silent Thunder kamikaze drone in UAE for urban precision strikes.

Athlon Avia displayed the ST-35 Silent Thunder loitering munition at UMEX 2026, outlining its vertical launch architecture and loiter-and-attack employment concept to engage time-sensitive targets in contested or urban areas.

In January 2026, the Ukrainian defense company Athlon Avia presented the ST-35 Silent Thunder loitering munition at UMEX 2026 in the United Arab Emirates. The drone is designed for vertical launch, extended loitering, and operator-controlled terminal attack against tactical and logistical targets in contested or urban environments.
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A central architectural element of the ST-35 is its vertical launch method, which utilizes a dedicated multirotor aerial vehicle to lift the loitering munition to an altitude of approximately 400 to 600 meters. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The ST-35 Silent Thunder is a vertically launched loitering munition designed to remain over a target area, search for targets using its own sensors or external reconnaissance inputs, and conduct a terminal attack once a target is confirmed. The development emphasized a rapid reaction against concealed or briefly exposed targets while avoiding the need to move crewed aircraft or other high-value assets close to defended zones. A key operational aspect highlighted is a steep vertical attack profile intended to allow use in dense urban terrain while limiting effects on surrounding civilians and infrastructure.

The ST-35 Silent Thunder operates as a loitering munition that can wait over an area of interest, reassess the tactical situation, and commit to an attack when conditions are met, supporting selective engagement rather than fixed preplanned strikes. Its intended target set includes radar installations, electronic warfare systems, communication and control elements, ammunition depots, fuel depots, and firing positions, reflecting a focus on battlefield enablers and logistical nodes. The ST-35 Silent Hunter can use reconnaissance data from other assets, allowing target discovery and confirmation to be decoupled from the loitering munition itself. This allows for the engagement of targets that appear intermittently or are shielded by terrain, structures, or concealment, with timing controlled by the operator rather than a preset flight profile.

The history of the ST-35 began with its initial unveiling in October 2019, followed by guided flight trials in early 2020 and entry into service during the same period. This kamikaze drone was developed by Athlon Avia, a Ukrainian manufacturer founded in 2014 and headquartered in Kyiv, which focuses on military unmanned aerial systems for reconnaissance and strike missions. The ST-35 draws on the company’s accumulated experience in the development, production, and life-cycle support of unmanned systems used in active conflicts. Since its introduction, the ST-35 has been repeatedly demonstrated during training activities and defense exhibitions, leading up to its appearance at UMEX 2026 as part of continued international outreach.

The ST-35 has a maximum takeoff weight of 9.5 kg and carries a warhead weighing 3.5 kg. Supported warhead types include high explosive, thermobaric, incendiary, cumulative or anti-armor, fuel-air explosive, and high-explosive fragmentation variants, allowing adaptation to different target categories and effects. The stated circular deviation is up to 3 meters, with a stated probability of hitting the target of 95 percent. The loitering munition has an endurance of up to 60 minutes, operates at altitudes between 800 and 1,200 meters, cruises at speeds between 120 and 140 km/h, and has an operational control radius of 30 km, aligning it with medium-range tactical strike tasks.

The aerodynamic configuration uses an X-layout biplane scheme intended to support stable horizontal flight and accuracy during the terminal dive. Propulsion is electric, contributing to reduced acoustic and visual signatures during operation. Targeting and guidance are conducted automatically using television or infrared channels, enabling operation in daylight or reduced-visibility conditions. After launch, the munition can transition from loitering to an automatic dive mode once the target is acquired and confirmed, with the terminal phase optimized for a steep attack angle.

A central architectural element of the ST-35 system is its vertical launch method using a dedicated multirotor aerial vehicle. The multirotor lifts the loitering munition to an altitude of about 400 to 600 meters, after which the munition separates and transitions into horizontal flight toward the target area. Following release, the multirotor can return to the launch site, be reconfigured by replacing the dropping module with a relay module equipped with antennas, and then redeploy to an altitude of about 1 km. In this relay configuration, the multirotor supports control signal and payload data transmission between the operator and the loitering munition throughout the mission.

Deployment and employment emphasize mobility and small-unit use, with the system designed to be carried in backpacks and organized as a mission set of three loitering munitions for a three-person team, each backpack load weighing roughly 15 kg. The complete system includes the loitering munition UAV, ground control station, optical payload, warhead, multirotor, dropping and relay modules, antenna complex, and associated spare parts and tools. The mission sequence includes launch pad preparation, antenna and ground control station setup, pre-flight checks, vertical launch, target detection and reaffirmation, automatic dive and target destruction, and visual confirmation by the operator, followed by relay return and system recovery.

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.