Skyfall’s Vampire Sinking Teeth into Russia

Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyfall is certainly sinking its teeth into the enemy with its “Vampire” heavy bomber. This six-motor hexacopter has risen from the shadows to become the most popular UAV of its type, responsible for around two-thirds of missions on the battlefield since entering the fight in 2023. Just over three years since its formation, Skyfall has grown exponentially to become the largest and most prolific drone manufacturer in Ukraine.

As its namesake would suggest, the Vampire “works at night, and it’s pretty scary—flying up to 500 meters above the target and dropping munitions,” a Skyfall spokesperson told AIN. (It’s usually 100 meters on average, since this is the most convenient with non-guided munitions.)

The platform was specifically designed to address the challenges posed by the Russian invasion and was operational within a year. Since then, its effectiveness against a variety of targets has earned it the unofficial moniker of the “Baba Yaga” drone by Russian personnel, referencing a mythical witch of Slavic folklore. Tens of thousands of units are operational on the battlefield.

The versatile Vampire has the capacity to carry up to four munitions with an optimum payload of 15 kilograms, complemented by a stabilization system aiding precision. Among the most effective targets destroyed to date has been a $200 million electronic warfare system (which, while still operational, wasn’t able to jam or spoof the Vampire). Built-in redundancy allows it to fly with at least two rotors inoperable. Additionally, around 30% to 40% of its missions support humanitarian requirements.

While more than 150 Skyfall products are currently in the R&D phase, the company’s latest product to enter theater is the P1-SUN: a fast interceptor specializing in hunting and destroying Shahed drones and their variants from an altitude of up to 5,000 meters. “This is the cheapest way to destroy them,” the spokesperson said, adding that the use of the new drone is up to 1,000 times cheaper than alternatives such as missile-based solutions.

The P1-SUN’s research and development team has confirmed a recent successful Shahed strike 25 km from the launch point with the latest P1-SUN modification. Skyfall also offers 24/7 technical support, free-of-charge service hubs close to the frontline, and a pilot academy that has trained more than 15,000 personnel to date.