{"id":25939,"date":"2026-03-26T15:56:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T13:56:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/?p=25939"},"modified":"2026-03-26T15:58:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T13:58:08","slug":"orion-vampire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2026\/03\/orion-vampire\/","title":{"rendered":"A UAV operator from the Orion unit carried out a frontline mission while located 1,100 km from the drone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Operators from the Orion unit were among the first in the world to test remote control technology for heavy Vampire <\/a>drones via satellite internet. Defender Media was told this by the unit itself, which is part of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As drone operators’ positions are among the enemy’s priority targets, the military began looking for a way to move pilots away from the front line. They consulted on the matter and found a solution in autumn 2025. “Ukrainian engineers were able to adapt remote control technology for heavy drones via satellite communication. This made it possible to move pilots a significant distance from the front and establish a stable control channel,” says Vladyslav Zolotaryov, an officer of the unit headquarters’ control group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To achieve this, a module is installed in the drone<\/a> that enables the control signal to be transmitted via satellite. To operate the drone over long distances, the operator requires a laptop, a remote controller, and a secure internet connection. The military adds that satellite communication enables the drone to operate more reliably, fly longer distances, and carry out more complex missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Read more<\/strong>: How SkyFall drones are becoming more Ukrainian \u2014 and cheaper<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

It is used, in particular, in the Kupyansk sector to deliver supplies to troops. Radio-signal drones may be unable to operate there due to electronic warfare and difficult terrain. In one instance, a unit operator located more than 1,100 kilometres from the front remotely delivered cargo to a military position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orion is now seeking similar solutions for reconnaissance UAVs. “These are already being developed and tested,” Zolotaryov announces.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Vampire drone, equipped with a satellite communication module, was used for the mission<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":26178,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pmpro_default_level":"","_featured_category_order":0,"_article_badge":"featured","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[127,190,1106],"class_list":["post-25939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-innovation","tag-drones","tag-satellite-technologies","tag-vampire","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe UAV pilot carried out the mission 1,100 km from the frontline<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Operators from the Orion unit have tested technology for controlling Vampire drones via satellite internet. 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