Drone Catalog
10 military and defence drone systems, comprehensively documented.
10 systems
Harop
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) — MBT Division · Israel
The IAI Harop is a large loitering munition specialising in the suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD). Unlike most loitering munitions, it can home autonomously on enemy radar emissions, making it a system that radar operators cannot safely activate without risking destruction. Azerbaijan's deployment of Harop against Armenian air defences in 2020 demonstrated the weapon's strategic effect.
Lancet-3
ZALA Aero (Kalashnikov Group) · Russia
The Lancet-3 has become one of the most effective Russian weapons in Ukraine, destroying hundreds of artillery pieces, air defence systems, and armoured vehicles. Its electro-optical guidance with target lock-on and high-speed terminal dive distinguish it from simpler GPS-guided OWA-UAVs.
Switchblade 600
AeroVironment · United States
The AeroVironment Switchblade 600 is a tube-launched loitering munition designed for anti-armour missions, combining the persistence of a drone with the precision of a guided missile in a system light enough to be transported by a small team. Its deployment to Ukraine brought significant attention to the loitering munition concept as a complement to traditional anti-tank weapons.
Orion (UAV-S7)
Kronshtadt (Kronstadt Group) · Russia
The Kronshtadt Orion is Russia's first domestically-developed medium-altitude, long-endurance reconnaissance and strike UAV to enter serial production. Its troubled development history and modest capability compared to Western equivalents reflect the broader challenges of Russia's UAV industrial base, which has relied heavily on imported components now subject to sanctions.
Heron TP (Eitan)
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) · Israel
The IAI Heron TP, known in Israeli Air Force service as the Eitan, is Israel's largest operational UAV and one of the most capable MALE ISR platforms available for export. With 36-hour endurance, a 1,000 kg payload, and civil airspace certification in multiple countries, it bridges the gap between tactical MALE systems and full HALE strategic reconnaissance.
RQ-4 Global Hawk
Northrop Grumman · United States
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is the United States' premier high-altitude, long-endurance reconnaissance UAV, able to survey 100,000 square kilometres of terrain per day from above 60,000 feet using multi-spectral sensors and AESA radar. It has reshaped strategic ISR operations since the early 2000s.
Bayraktar Akıncı
Baykar · Turkey
The Bayraktar Akıncı is Baykar's high-altitude, long-endurance combat drone — significantly larger and more capable than the TB2, able to carry cruise missiles and serve as a multi-role platform for strategic strike, electronic warfare, and airborne command and control.
Shahed-136
HESA (Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company) · Iran
The Shahed-136 is an Iranian one-way attack UAV that became one of the most discussed weapons systems of the Ukraine war after Russia deployed it in mass strikes against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. Its combination of low cost and long range challenges traditional air defence economics.
MQ-9 Reaper
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems · United States
The MQ-9 Reaper is the United States' primary remotely piloted strike aircraft, defining an era of persistent surveillance and precision strike operations from Afghanistan to Somalia. More capable and faster than its Predator predecessor, it set the template for Western MALE UCAVs.
Bayraktar TB2
Baykar · Turkey
The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance armed UAV that transformed the nature of drone warfare, proving that relatively affordable UCAVs could achieve decisive battlefield results against conventional armoured forces.