Ukraine Extends MERCURY Recon Drone Endurance to Five Hours in Latest Upgrade

Ukrainian drone manufacturer Aviation New Technologies (ANT) has upgraded its MERCURY reconnaissance system, increasing flight endurance to five hours and improving its software and controls, according to Militarnyi on October 20.

The modernization includes updated aircraft and camera-control software, improved firmware, and a new interface that allows operators to control the camera via a computer and keyboard rather than relying solely on a joystick.

ANT also integrated communication antennas into the drone’s tail fins, protecting them inside the airframe rather than leaving external antennas exposed. The company stated that the upgrades were introduced in response to feedback from Ukrainian military operators.

MERCURY is a Ukrainian-made vertical takeoff and landing reconnaissance drone designed for tactical reconnaissance, target detection, fire adjustment, and surveillance under electronic warfare conditions. The system has been codified and supplied to Ukrainian forces.

The drone can launch and land from a 5-by-5-meter area without a catapult. Earlier versions transmitted real-time video up to 70 kilometers and could fly autonomously up to 100 kilometers while recording data onboard.

MERCURY also carries a combined daytime and thermal-imaging camera. ANT lists a 210x daytime zoom and a 1280×1024 thermal sensor, while the system is designed to continue missions in the presence of active electronic warfare.

Ukrainian-made reconnaissance drones have also been attracting foreign buyers, with the US military purchasing Skyeton's ACS-3 Raybird under a $10.64 million contract.

Deliveries are due by December 15, 2026. The fixed-wing drone offers declared endurance of up to 24 hours and has flown thousands of combat missions in Ukraine, logging more than 350,000 flight hours by March 2026.

Help us understand what you already know

Join United24 audience survey