Phoenix Ghost, American UAV for Ukraine

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, causing the exodus of millions and the deaths of tens of thousands, could also bring new products in the field of military technology that we have never heard of before. One of them is the Phoenix Ghost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which we heard in the United States (US) aid packages to Ukraine this year.

How Does Phoenix Ghost Work?

The Phoenix Ghost is actually a sniper or kamikaze UAV, also known as a roving munition (ing.: loitering munition). The Phoenix Ghost, which military personnel can comfortably carry in a backpack, is thrown from a scuba launch system resembling a mortar. For this reason, the traveling ammunition Phoenix Ghost, which has folding wings, has the ability to stay in the air and float by opening its wings after launch. The drone, which is then directed to its target along with the detection of the enemy force, takes a dive and carries out its attack.

It can stay in the air for 6 hours.

Similar to the AeroVironment Switchblade model, the Phoenix Ghost, unlike the Switchblade, is able to observe patterns in the air for 6 hours. Switchblade was less than an hour. The Phoenix Ghost drone, which can also be effective against armored targets, can be used for surveillance and attack purposes at night thanks to its infrared sensor (sensor) as it can be used by a single person.

Development Process of UAV

Phoenix Ghost, also referred to in some sources as an assassination drone, is produced by the unit formerly known as the Big Safari Program and renamed the 645th Aviation Systems Group. This unit is known for its products, which are rapidly developed and produced as a result of military needs, especially in battlefields such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

How Many Phoenix Ghosts Were Sent to Ukraine?

To date, 120 units of Phoenix Ghost have been shipped by the US in April 2022 and 580 Phoenix Ghost in July 2022 to Ukraine. The announcement that 1,100 more Phoenix Ghost will be sent in the aid package announced by the US government is being interpreted as a quick demonstration of the success of this weapon in the fighting in Ukraine.