The new Ukrainian R-34-T UAV, capable of laser-designating targets for precision-guided weapons, has received NATO codification and has been officially approved for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to a press release from FRDM GROUP, the company that developed the drone at the request of the Ukrainian military, the UAV has completed the full testing cycle and is ready for deployment in combat conditions. Its main mission is to provide laser target designation for guided artillery and aerial munitions.
The R-34-T significantly enhances the effectiveness of fire missions, especially over long distances and in complex environments where enemy air defenses are active. The drone features secure communication channels, a modular design, and high resistance to electronic warfare systems, enabling it to operate under intense electronic interference.
Specifications of the R-34-T:
- Secure communication channels
- Modular architecture
- High resistance to electronic warfare (EW) systems
The company highlights that this technology is a breakthrough in precision weapons guidance — allowing for more accurate use of resources, reduced ammunition expenditure, and lower risk to operators and units.
FRDM GROUP is a Ukrainian tech company developing robotic solutions for the defense sector. Its mission is to create innovative systems to protect Ukraine on the ground and in the air. The company has previously introduced several ground platforms for reconnaissance and evacuation tasks.
In June alone, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense codified over 120 new types of weapons and military equipment (WME), more than 100 of which are domestically produced.
The list of codified items is dominated by various types of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), engineering tools, UAV munitions, and ground robotic platforms.
Since the beginning of the year, over 600 types of WME have been approved for operational use. Notably, there has been progress in approving fiber-optically guided UAS — over 70 models have been cleared for use since January.
