Ukrspecsystems Shark
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
| name = Shark | image = File:BPLA Shark.jpg | caption = Shark drone }} {{Infobox aircraft type | type = Reconnaissance UAV | national origin = Ukraine | manufacturer = Ukrspecsystems{{cite web | url = https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/ukrspecsystems-predstavyv-svij-novyj-bpla-shark-uav/ | title = Ukrspecsystems представив свій новий БПЛА SHARK UAV | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20221114204022/https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/ukrspecsystems-predstavyv-svij-novyj-bpla-shark-uav/ | archivedate = 2022-11-14 | language = uk | access-date = 2023-09-23 | url-status = live }} | designer = | first flight = | introduced = 2022 | retired = | status = | primary user = Armed Forces of Ukraine | more users = | produced = | number built = | variants with their own articles = }} |
SHARK (Ukrainian: ШАРК) is a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle created by the Ukrspecsystems company{{Cite web |title=Ukrspecsystems представив свій новий БПЛА SHARK UAV |url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/ukrspecsystems-predstavyv-svij-novyj-bpla-shark-uav/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Мілітарний |language=uk |archive-date=2022-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114204022/https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/ukrspecsystems-predstavyv-svij-novyj-bpla-shark-uav/ |url-status=live }} for monitoring and adjusting fire on the battlefield. The UAV is equipped with a highly reliable communication module (AES256 encryption), which allows it to penetrate into the enemy's rear up to 80 km under EW conditions. The Full HD optical-electronic surveillance complex with 30x optical magnification and an additional 3x digital zoom enables surveillance at a distance of up to 5 km from the drone to the target.{{Cite web |title="ШАРК" — новий український безпілотник для глибокої розвідки та коригування HIMARS |url=https://itc.ua/ua/novini/shark-novyj-ukrayinskyj-bezpilotnyk-dlya-glybokoyi-rozvidky-ta-koryguvannya-himars/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=ITC.ua |archive-date=2022-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130213622/https://itc.ua/ua/novini/shark-novyj-ukrayinskyj-bezpilotnyk-dlya-glybokoyi-rozvidky-ta-koryguvannya-himars/ |url-status=live }}
Approximate cost - US$325,000 (Three UAVs, a vehicle with a command post).
Description
Shark combines the war-tested technologies and experience of using larger operational-tactical UAVs of the PD-1 and PD-2 series in combat conditions. The UAV is launched from a catapult and has an operational range of up to 80 km, rising to a height of up to 3,000 meters. Its maximum speed is 130 km/h, cruising speed is 75 km/h, tipping speed is 60 km/h. Landing is carried out using a parachute.
UAVs are able to adjust large-caliber artillery for a long time, resistant to EW means and difficult weather conditions. Several UAVs capable of operating in difficult weather conditions can be controlled from one station
The complex of BpAS "Shark" includes:
- 3 UAVs
- Ground launcher
- Additional equipment
History of creation
The Ukrspecsystems company began work on the Shark UAV in the face of a full-scale Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, and flight tests began less than six months later.{{Cite web |title=В Україні створили новий безпілотник для глибинної розвідки й коригування вогню (відео) |url=https://www.unian.ua/economics/other/v-ukrajini-stvorili-noviy-bezpilotnik-shark-tehnichni-harakteristiki-12025773.html |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=www.unian.ua |language=uk |archive-date=2022-12-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204030624/https://www.unian.ua/economics/other/v-ukrajini-stvorili-noviy-bezpilotnik-shark-tehnichni-harakteristiki-12025773.html |url-status=live }}
Specifications<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukrspecsystems представив свій новий БПЛА SHARK UAV |url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/ukrspecsystems-predstavyv-svij-novyj-bpla-shark-uav/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Мілітарний |language=uk |archive-date=2022-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114204022/https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/ukrspecsystems-predstavyv-svij-novyj-bpla-shark-uav/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Characteristic !SHARK UAS |
| Communication range
|80 km |
| Cruise speed
|75 km/h |
| Maximum flight speed
|130 km/h |
| Maximum flight range
|~300 km |
| Stall speed
|60 km/h |
| Ceiling
|3000 m |
| The weight of the device
|12.5 kg |
| Wingspan
|3.4 m |
| Operating temperature
|from −15 °C to +50 °C |
= Camera system =
Different video recording modules can be installed on the aircraft: USG-231 and USG-231-T.
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Characteristic !USG-231 !USG-231-T |
| Appointment
|Day vision camera Full HD with 30x optical zoom |Night vision camera with an uncooled thermal imaging module |
| Digital approximation
|3x |4 p |
| Digital stabilization
|Yes |Yes |
| Protection against fogging
|Yes |No |
| Video recording and storage
aboard |Yes |Yes |
| Rotation along the axis
|No |360° |
| Size, mm
|105×107×120 |105×107×120 |
| Weight, g
|590 |635 |
Operators
- {{UKR}}
Combat use
In 2022, Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation announced the purchase of a SHARK UAV for Ukraine's Armed Forces. By 2023, they had acquired three SHARK systems. On November 1, 2022, OKKO and the "Come Back Alive" Foundation initiated{{Cite web |date=2022-11-01 |title="ОКО ЗА ОКО". "Повернись живим" і ОККО запустили спільну ініціативу, щоб придбати 25 безпілотних комплексів "ШАРК" - savelife.in.ua |url=https://savelife.in.ua/materials/news/oko-za-oko-povernys-zhyvym-i-okko-zapust/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |language=uk-UA |archive-date=2023-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429204730/https://savelife.in.ua/materials/news/oko-za-oko-povernys-zhyvym-i-okko-zapust/ |url-status=live }} a fundraiser to buy 25 SHARK systems, totaling 325,000,000 UAH or 13 million UAH per system.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-18 |title=ОКО ЗА ОКО – спільний благодійний проект ОККО і "Повернись живим" |url=https://charity.okko.ua/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |archive-date=2022-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118120715/https://charity.okko.ua/ |url-status=bot: unknown }} These systems include 75 UAVs, 25 Torsus vehicles from Pulsar Expo with control points, and 25 launch setups. A notable project involved retrofitting the Torsus Terrastorm vehicle for remote piloting. This upgraded vehicle is optimized for wartime, offering efficient operations in any weather and rapid deployment.{{relevance|date=March 2025}}