Ukrainian company PAWELL has developed a new power system for fixed-wing drones that extends their operational range from approximately 30 km to nearly 200 km on a single charge, LIGA.net reports. The technology was adapted from battery cells used in electric vehicles and first applied to drones that had previously served in the agricultural sector.
From farms to the front
The new system uses LiNMC battery cells — the same type found in electric vehicles — adapted for different drone configurations based on weight, capacity, and power requirements, according to PAWELL. Engineers tailored the solution to various fixed-wing models, enabling strikes at ranges that were previously out of reach for this class of aircraft.
The first recorded combat application came in July 2025 on the Sumy direction. A drone equipped with the new battery flew 40 km into enemy-held territory, located a Buk-M1 surface-to-air missile system, and transmitted its coordinates for a strike. Ukrainian artillery subsequently destroyed the system, valued at approximately $10 million, LIGA.net reports.
The 197-km mission
In October 2025, a Postman-type drone flew 197 km on the southern direction, carrying a 15 kg warhead, struck an ammunition depot, and returned with approximately 10% battery charge remaining, according to PAWELL. The same drone model, equipped with a standard battery, had a maximum range of up to 135 km — meaning the new system extended its operational reach by more than 46%.
PAWELL states the next development milestone is a range exceeding 400 km.
Read also
-
From making interceptors to guarding sky: Ukrainian drone maker gets its own private air defense unit and will pay for it from weapon sales
-
Russia burned 628,000 new school textbooks in Kharkiv at the peak of back-to-school season
-
Ukraine wants to aim Starlink at Russian targets—and build a version Elon Musk can’t switch off
