{"id":102064,"date":"2026-09-17T13:02:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/?post_type=insights&p=102064"},"modified":"2026-09-17T13:58:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:58:35","slug":"ram-2x-interview-rymaruk","status":"publish","type":"insights","link":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/insights\/ram-2x-interview-rymaruk\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything about the RAM-2X mid-strike drone: interview with Ukrspecsystems deputy director Andrii Rymaruk"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On Sept. 8, Ukrainian unmanned systems developer Ukrspecsystems unveiled<\/a> its RAM-2X strike UAV with an X-shaped wing at the MSPO 2026 defence exhibition in Poland. The Defence Forces have been using the system since 2024, but until recently the manufacturer kept its involvement in the mid-strike drone under wraps for security reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukrspecsystems not only revealed its involvement in the RAM-2X project, but also began publishing a combat footage archive<\/a> showing strikes on enemy equipment and facilities. Over the past two years, RAM-2X crews have hit more than 1000 targets, including high-value assets such as S-400 air-defence systems and Iskander ballistic missile launchers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defender Media spoke to Ukrspecsystems<\/a> deputy director Andrii Rymaruk about the RAM-2X. He discussed the history of the mid-strike drone\u2019s development, its design and specifications, onboard terminal guidance system, as well as its use cases, localisation and export potential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defender Media: Manufacturers usually present their products first and only then report on their combat use and successes. Why did you do the opposite with the RAM-2X?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrii Rymaruk:<\/strong> There is a well-known saying: \u201cDeeds, not words.\u201d We wanted to let the product and the units do their job first \u2014 namely, destroy the targets they were tasked with destroying. They are still hitting targets, and we are finally ready to tell the wider public about the RAM-2X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People in the know have been aware of it for a long time, though. In 2025, the system effectively became the flagship mid-strike<\/a> weapon in the Defence Forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When did the RAM-2X first appear?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We conducted its first combat missions in early 2024. I remember the first targets clearly: a Strela-10 air-defence system, a 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer and a Buk-M1 air-defence system. The first three combat launches resulted in three hits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, things moved quickly. We fixed minor bugs in the test batch, incorporated crews\u2019 recommendations on packaging, transport, and the warhead, and gradually ramped up production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Was there another UAV before the RAM-2X that served as the basis for its development?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At one point, we had a project called RAM-2, an aircraft-type strike UAV, together with Deviro<\/a>. Deviro provided the fuselage, while Ukrspecsystems provided the software and camera. The aircraft has been supplied to the Defence Forces since late 2022. It has proven itself well and is still being used by some units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RAM-2X, however, is entirely our own development. There was also an intermediate product between the RAM-2 and RAM-2X \u2014 the RAM-2S. It already had our own fuselage and internal systems. The latest stage of this evolution is the RAM-2X with its X-shaped wing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did you choose an X-shaped wing?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This configuration makes the drone more manoeuvrable, precise, faster and more capable. That was what the military asked for. We also increased its flight time compared with the RAM-2 and RAM-2S, improved communications, reconfigured the external antennas, and reached 140 km in the first iteration. For 2024, that was something extraordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back then, the enemy was completely unafraid to operate 30 km from the frontline. Expensive targets would simply sit there or drive around in the open. I saw Ukrainian troops fly our RAM-2X past self-propelled guns, electronic warfare systems and other equipment without even paying attention to them. I asked why, and they said: \u201cThat\u2019s not our target. We want to hit air-defence systems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, once the product became more widespread and was deployed by more units, and the enemy moved its expensive air-defence systems further from the frontline, anything left exposed became a target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the key specifications of the RAM-2X, and how much have they improved compared with its predecessors?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We do not disclose some of the specifications in order to leave a few surprises for the enemy. But I can say that the aircraft-type RAM-2 had a stated one-way range of 80 km. The RAM-2X initially had a range of 140 km, while today it is already 180 km.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can already talk about the evolution of the RAM-2X itself \u2014 what it was in 2024 and what it has become today. They are two radically different products, even though they look the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current RAM-2X has several communications options, including two different radio modules and Starlink satellite communications. Our mid-strike drone can use a hybrid connection, with Starlink and radio operating simultaneously. That is useful because the frontline is not uniform everywhere. Sometimes you need to cross the line of contact using Starlink and then switch to the radio module.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compared with the 2024 version, flight time has also increased, from 75\u201380 minutes to 90\u2013100 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u041c\u0456\u0434\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0430\u0439\u043a RAM-2X. \u0424\u043e\u0442\u043e: Ukrspecsystems<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As for the stated 180 km range, a lot depends on weather conditions and crew experience. When pursuing an important target, experienced crews will go even further. Soldiers from the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade \u201cAchilles\u201d recently set the record by striking a target 215.5 km from the launch point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crew knew exactly what they wanted to achieve, where they needed to go and what they needed to hit. So they waited for favourable weather, caught a tailwind and used it to cover a greater distance. At that range, communications can start becoming an issue, but we have ways of dealing with that too. If the pilot locks onto a target at a distance of up to 3 km, presses the \u201cAttack\u201d button and then loses communications, the system will automatically engage the target. Once it has locked onto a target, it will not let go, even if the target is moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you referring to the terminal guidance system?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, automatic target tracking and terminal guidance<\/a>. Automatic tracking has long been available on our SHARK reconnaissance drones. You lock onto a target, press the \u201cAuto\u201d button, and the aircraft automatically follows it without pilot intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also make the software as easy to use as possible, so the operator doesn’t have to make unnecessary effort. No goggles or additional monitors \u2014 just a standard controller. What is unique is that the software for the SHARK reconnaissance drone and the RAM-2X strike drone is almost identical. The difference is literally a few buttons. Someone who knows how to fly a SHARK can retrain to operate the RAM in one day of theory and one day of simulator training \u2014 and then they are ready to fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The additional equipment is also standardised. The catapult and ground control station are the same for the SHARK and RAM-2X. There is no need to buy anything else \u2014 you just take the loitering munition and go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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RAM-2X. Photo: Ukrspecsystems<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is where what we call the \u201ckiller duo\u201d \u2014 the SHARK and RAM-2X working together \u2014 comes into play. The SHARK identifies the target, and the same crew, from the same launch point, immediately launches the RAM-2X to destroy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two or three RAM-2Xs can also be used as a pair if several interesting targets are marked in Delta. In that case, one mid-strike drone can act as a designator for another before it too is sent in, while the other carries out the strike. One RAM can also act as a relay for another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So RAM is not just a loitering munition. Its configuration can be changed literally within minutes before a flight, allowing one RAM to act as a spotter for another. You confirm the first strike, then send the second one on an entirely autonomous mission to destroy the target. There are many possible scenarios \u2014 it depends on the conditions and the targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What types of targets does the RAM-2X typically engage?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, this product was a novelty, so exclusive targets were selected for it. Today, there are plenty of videos of RAM-2X combat operations in open sources: these drones destroy everything from ordinary logistics vehicles to expensive S-400 air-defence systems and even Iskander ballistic missile systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have disclosed some of the RAM-2X\u2019s combat operations in our X archive. The number of videos will grow over time. We will publish them when doing so no longer constitutes a state secret or reveals mission plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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