The Ukrainian 92nd separate assault brigade successfully evacuated a wounded soldier from the frontline using a heavy hexacopter drone. The operation was necessitated by the presence of landmines and enemy drones, which prevented the use of ground-based robotic vehicles.
The mission utilized a Heavy Shot AYUDAG 6 hexacopter provided by Gurzuf Defence. The drone, equipped with a winch and carabiners, transported the soldier over a distance of nearly 62 kilometers during a flight that lasted 1 hour and 14 minutes. The aircraft is capable of carrying a payload of up to 90 kilograms.
The soldier, a member of the 30th separate mechanized brigade, had been stationed at the frontline for nearly 500 days. While this method offers a potential solution for dangerous extraction zones, Gurzuf Defence cofounder Pavlo Feldblium noted that such drone evacuations carry significant risks and should be considered a last resort.
Concurrently, another manufacturer, SkyFall, has introduced the StarGate hexacopter, which features a stretcher-based container for casualty transport. This model, currently undergoing frontline testing, incorporates Starlink connectivity, a proprietary backup communication system, and an onboard AI for autonomous return in the event of signal loss.
