It’d take a lot of investment and time to design a new production line for a craft like that, and it’s not entirely clear yet whether there’s sufficient need for new production (since there seems to be an adequate amount of older applicable planes), or if they would become obsolete quickly or not from counter defenses.
They did mention in the video how cheap their solution is, which is likely s huge bonus for a cash strapped Ukraine trying to make every buck count. AA missiles might raise the cost downed per-drone to the point that it’s less viable than their… Stick the AR-15 out the cockpit method
It’d take a lot of investment and time to design a new production line for a craft like that, and it’s not entirely clear yet whether there’s sufficient need for new production (since there seems to be an adequate amount of older applicable planes), or if they would become obsolete quickly or not from counter defenses.
Utilizing existing frames/production lines with modifications could be done. It’s not unprecedented.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Tractor_AT-802
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/L3Harris_OA-1K_Skyraider_II
Good point, that does seem like a viable option. Love the example you gave 😄
Hmmm… they installed AA missiles on this old crop duster.
https://theaviationist.com/2025/08/08/r-73-equipped-crop-duster-ukraine/
They did mention in the video how cheap their solution is, which is likely s huge bonus for a cash strapped Ukraine trying to make every buck count. AA missiles might raise the cost downed per-drone to the point that it’s less viable than their… Stick the AR-15 out the cockpit method