Ukrainian Vector UAV miraculously survives being shot down
Quantum-Systems, a company known for its reconnaissance UAVs mainly supplied to the Ukrainian Defense Forces, has shared interesting information about a UAV called Vector.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•13/07/2025
A Vector drone operated by Ukrainian forces was hit by multiple rounds of small arms fire during a recent combat mission, but it returned safely to base for repairs, according to Quantum-Systems CEO Dave Sharpin. Photo: @Quantum-Systems. In a statement posted on social media, Sharpin said the Vector drone was at a very long range on a mission when it was shot 11 times with Russian small arms fire." Photo: @Quantum-Systems.
The operator had to abort the Vector UAV mission after Russia damaged the drone's payload rack, he added. Photo: @Quantum-Systems. Remarkably, despite the damage, the Vector UAV made a spectacular return to its original staging base, and is currently undergoing repairs before being sent back to the combat front. Photo: @Quantum-Systems. However, Quantum-Systems CEO Dave Sharpin did not disclose the exact location or date of the incident where the Vector UAV was shot 11 times. Photo: @Quantum-Systems.
“The Vector family of UAVs has flown thousands of hours of combat missions in Ukraine in the most extreme conditions,” Sharpin said. “Those lessons learned and hard-won lessons have been incorporated into our latest product in the MRR class, the VectorAI.” Photo: @Quantum-Systems. It is known that the Vector UAV system, designed by Germany and manufactured by Quantum-Systems, has been widely used in Ukraine for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Photo: @Quantum-Systems. Long endurance and low noise levels make the Vector UAV a useful tool for frontline units operating in contested airspace. Photo: @Quantum-Systems. Quantum-Systems has been the main supplier of drone systems to Ukraine since the early stages of Russia's full-scale offensive in 2022. Photo: @Quantum-Systems.
The company’s UAV platforms have been adapted based on feedback from Ukrainian forces to improve survivability and mission effectiveness in combat conditions. Photo: @Quantum-Systems. Notably, in 2023, Ukraine announced that it would start producing spare parts and assembling German-made Vector UAVs domestically. In 2024, Quantum-Systems officially opened a production facility in Ukraine. Photo: @Quantum-Systems.
Not only in Ukraine, Vector UAVs are currently used in the armies of Germany, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Romania and the Netherlands. Photo: @Quantum-Systems.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•13/07/2025
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