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Vector drones in Ukraine have been recently received an upgrade by Quantum Systems, enabling them to operate in areas where GNSS support is unavailable. The new Receptor AI sensor allows for optical navigation in various conditions, including low visibility, and supports automated object recognition, as mentioned in the company’s July press release.
According to Daniel Kneifel, Quantum’s software engineering director, these upgrades do not alter the drone’s weight or range and maintain the existing platform architecture.
The AI upgrade kit features a Jetson Orin Nvidia chip and multiple sensors to improve decision-making processes and make it more approachable to the user. The upgrade includes the Raptor gimbal for object detection, classification and tracking. The kit also provides an upgrade for navigating in GNSS-denied environments. Further testing is ongoing at Quantum’s new development site in Ukraine.
According to The Defense Post, Ukraine has acquired over 400 Vector systems in the past two years, funded by the German government, in order to enhance aerial intelligence for Ukrainian forces. Since August 2022, the Vector has demonstrated exceptional performance in challenging conditions, proving vital for military intelligence and reconnaissance.
Among the drone’s features, it includes vertical take-off and landing, as well as three-hour endurance, and can reach speeds of up to 72 km/h. It supports live video streaming to ground stations up to 35 km away, features low noise emission, a rugged and agile design, and is ready for deployment in just three minutes.
