According to Militarnyi, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense (GUR) has received a brand-new PD-2 unmanned aerial reconnaissance system from the Charitable Foundation "Return Alive."
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A fighter of the Main Directorate of Intelligence posing with a drone of the PD-2 system (Picture source: GUR MO)

This PD-2 intelligence system, generously provided by the "Return Alive" Fund for Competent Assistance of the Army, comprises two vertical take-off drones and a ground control station seamlessly integrated into a highly maneuverable minibus. The total cost of this comprehensive set amounts to 25,709,801.13 hryvnias.

Reconnaissance units have reported that the deployment and retrieval of the drones are significantly expedited by mounting the system on a pickup truck, enabling rapid relocation when needed. One of the most crucial features of this system is its capability to function effectively even under enemy jamming conditions.

The commander of the GUR reconnaissance unit, known by the call sign "Ruben," remarked, "During the defense of Kyiv, we operated this system from a distance of 95 kilometers from the starting point. Furthermore, the PD-2 boasts a remarkable flight endurance of over 5 hours, making it capable of meeting the reconnaissance needs of multiple artillery units in a single flight."

The PD-2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Developed and manufactured by the Ukrainian company UkrSpecSystems, the PD-2 is a versatile reconnaissance unmanned aerial system powered by an internal combustion engine. With a range of up to 1,000 kilometers on a single tank of fuel, possibly even more, the PD-2 can remain airborne for up to 12 hours. Notably, the PD-2 does not require a traditional airstrip for takeoff, thanks to its vertical takeoff capabilities facilitated by a special kit.

The drone is equipped with cameras featuring a five-fold optical zoom on the thermal imager and an impressive 30-fold zoom on the day camera. These advanced optics enable detailed reconnaissance at distances of up to 5 kilometers and even more extensive surveillance capabilities.

Remote controller of the PD-2 system (Picture source: GUR MO)

Ground control station of the PD-2 system (Picture source: GUR MO)

PD-2 drone displayed at EDEX 2023 defense exhibition in Cairo, Egypt (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Defense News December 2023