The German company Quantum Systems will start producing Twister drones at its Ukrainian facilities — just four months after the drone’s initial presentation.
Oleksandr Berezhnyi, Managing Director of the company’s Ukrainian branch, shared the production plans with Militarnyi.
Quantum Systems plans to begin manufacturing its promising UAV as early as July this year, anticipating its active integration into the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
“In Germany, [the Twisters] are already in use, but not yet in Ukraine. Here, we will start production as early as July and will immediately proceed to testing,” said Oleksandr Berezhnyi.
He also added that the Twister drones had already attracted interest from the Ukrainian Ground Forces, who were keen on a compact tactical reconnaissance UAV.
Twister is well-suited for missions requiring a small tactical reconnaissance drone, thanks to its compact size and vertical takeoff and landing system that eliminates the need for catapults or other launch equipment. It weighs just 3.8 kg and can be transported easily in a compact case.
According to the developers, the drone has an operational range of up to 15 kilometers, within which it can operate for up to 90 minutes. It can be deployed and ready for action in just 2 minutes.
The standard version of Twister is equipped with the Nighthawk2 optical module, featuring both daytime and thermal imaging channels. However, this module can be swapped out in the field without significant modifications to the UAV’s structure.
Another key feature of the drone is its ability to relay signals, thereby extending the operational range of other Quantum Systems UAVs, including the widely used Vector drones in the Ukrainian military.
Automation and Focus on Technology
In addition to the optical station, the drone will also be capable of carrying powerful LiDAR systems, allowing it to map terrain and create highly detailed 3D representations of the battlefield landscape. This capability can play a crucial role in operational planning.
Earlier this year, Quantum Systems announced a project to integrate an innovative technology into the Twister drones — acoustic artillery position detection based on the sound of gunfire.
According to the developers, onboard microphones will be able to detect artillery and mortar fire from up to 15 kilometers away. Detection accuracy will range within 5 degrees at a distance of 5 kilometers, which is sufficient for approximate positioning, after which the target will be further identified by optical sensors.
Another revolutionary technology planned for the drone is the ability to take off and land using a special “robotic arm” — Quantum Systems’ automated DronePort system. This solution will enable fully automated launch and recovery of UAVs, eliminating the need for human involvement in these processes.
Militarnyi previously reported that the German drone systems manufacturer Quantum Systems planned to double drone production in Ukraine. Today, localized drone assembly is already taking place in the country, and two enterprises, an R&D CENTRE and a drone maintenance and development unit, are operating.
