As militaries seek strike drones with greater reach but lower cost, Ukrainian firm F-Drones has unveiled the F-CAPTAIN, a medium-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) built to engage targets up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) away.
With a 3-meter (9.8-foot) wingspan, the drone can carry payloads of up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds) and has a maximum takeoff weight of 27 kilograms (59 pounds).
It is equipped with daylight and thermal imaging cameras for reconnaissance missions, along with navigation and flight control software that enables operations in GPS-denied environments.
Using an onboard autonomous target recognition system and a Last Mile guidance module, the F-CAPTAIN can continue its attack even if communications are lost during the final phase of flight.
The UAV is powered by a quiet electric propulsion system and supports Starlink, digital video, and analog video communications. It can also integrate with radar, air defense, and geographic information systems.
Designed for tactical strikes, the F-CAPTAIN can engage a range of battlefield targets, including radar installations, air defense systems, warehouses, command posts, and logistics assets.
Bridging the Gap
According to F-Drones, the F-CAPTAIN is intended to fill the gap between first-person view (FPV) drones and long-range strike platforms, offering greater reach than frontline FPVs while remaining more affordable than deep-strike systems.
To illustrate the concept, the company compared different drone classes to a military chain of command.
FPV drones act as the “sergeants” on the frontline, while long-range strike platforms serve as the “general staff” operating deep behind enemy lines.
Within that framework, the F-CAPTAIN is positioned as a tactical “officer,” operating at intermediate ranges to support combat operations beyond the reach of FPV drones.
