Skyeton integrates satcom into Raybird UAV

Ukrainian aviation manufacturer Skyeton has announced the successful integration of satellite communications (SATCOM) systems into its Raybird unmanned aerial vehicle, a move the company says significantly expands the platform’s operational reach and enables uninterrupted real-time data transmission during long-duration missions.

The SATCOM capability complements Raybird’s endurance of more than 28 hours, removing traditional line-of-sight data link limitations and allowing operators to maintain a stable real-time connection throughout the entire mission profile, including deep reconnaissance missions conducted far beyond ground-based communications coverage.

Skyeton said Raybird is compatible with multiple SATCOM solutions, allowing customers to select systems that best match their operational needs and existing command-and-control infrastructure. The company confirmed that in 2025 it delivered its first SATCOM-enabled Raybird system to a unit of the Ukrainian Defence Forces. Since then, Skyeton has continued deploying SATCOM-equipped UAVs to combat zones to validate system readiness in operational conditions.

Roman Knyazhenko, CEO of Skyeton, said: “We deliberately tested satellite communications not in laboratory conditions, but in the most hostile operational environment possible. Over the past year, we gathered detailed feedback directly from military operators. This experience allowed us to refine the integration and ensure stable performance under electronic warfare pressure and during extended missions.” He added: “Before scaling deliveries, we had to ensure that the SATCOM-equipped Raybird is fully ready to conduct deep ISR missions in enemy territory exactly when it matters most.”

Raybird is designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance missions, using an internal combustion engine to achieve extended flight endurance. Skyeton said the addition of satellite communications improves its usefulness for large-scale and distributed operations where long-range connectivity is essential.

According to the company, Raybird has accumulated more than 350,000 flight hours in Ukraine, and has been proven resilient against electronic warfare while maintaining operational reliability and cost efficiency. Its compact design and low detectability are intended to allow operations in contested airspace while delivering intelligence in real time.

Raybird UAV specifications (ICE version)

Skyeton provided the following performance figures for the SATCOM-enabled Raybird system:

• Endurance: 28+ hours
• Maximum range: 2,500+ km
• Operating ceiling: 5,500 m
• Data link range: unlimited with SATCOM integration
• Payload capacity: 5–10 kg
• Propulsion: EFI four-stroke gasoline engine
• Operating temperatures: -35°C to +55°C

Raybird supports interchangeable payloads including multi-sensor gimbals, aerial cameras, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and radio frequency locating systems.