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Medieval Weapons Make a Comeback as High Speed Drones Trade Fire for Steel
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A new trend in drone technology is emerging as high-speed FPV strike drones begin using sharp blades instead of explosives to neutralize targets.
A video recently circulated online by Samuel Cardillo, CEO of ShadowBreak Intl, shows a drone dubbed the "Flying Sword" destroying a human mannequin while traveling at speeds of 450 km/h or 280 mph, according to Forbes on April 16.
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While demonstrations can sometimes be misleading, this technology highlights a shift that could make FPV drones harder to stop and more accessible to various groups.
In the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a variety of unconventional drone weapons have already appeared, including devices equipped with spears, tridents, and harpoons. These tools are often effective against other drones because quadcopters are made of fragile materials like plastic and carbon fiber.
direct kinetic impact. a flying sword. 450km/h.
— Samuel Cardillo (@CardilloSamuel) March 19, 2026
updated video showing exactly that. we're also working on the explosive variant.
only for authorized partners. dms are open. pic.twitter.com/xs9fQewSlB
Breaking a single rotor blade is usually enough to bring a drone down. However, ground targets typically require explosives. While FPV drones originally used repurposed RPG rounds, the variety of munitions has grown significantly over the last few years, according to Forbes.
Several "Flying Sword" drones modeled after Chinese mythological weapons exist online, but most are toys with foam or plastic blades. One video from Ukraine showed an FPV drone carrying a Japanese sword, though it appeared to be a demonstration of maneuverability rather than a practical weapon. In contrast, the version from ShadowBreak Intl appears to be a serious system with lethal specifications.
The physics of the Flying Sword suggest it is highly dangerous. A hunting crossbow bolt weighs about 35 grams and travels at 350 km/h, while a medieval longbow arrow weighs 80 grams and reaches 220 km/h.
The Flying Sword is much faster and weighs at least ten times more. Historically, the closest comparison is the Roman ballista, which launched 500-gram bolts at 360 km/h.
If the Flying Sword reaches 450 km/h, it would be even more powerful than those ancient weapons. While many FPV drones in Ukraine are slower, some interceptors already claim speeds of over 300 km/h, and racing drones can exceed 600 km/h. This makes the 450 km/h figure plausible for a specialized strike drone.
According to Forbes, ShadowBreak Intl is reportedly working on an explosive version, but the non-explosive kinetic model has its own advantages. It could be used to intercept drones, cruise missiles, and helicopters. The drone features autonomous terminal guidance to handle high-speed approaches and is expected to have a battery life of at least eight minutes.
For ground operations, the Flying Sword is designed for use against personnel rather than armored vehicles. It offers a way to eliminate specific targets without collateral damage, similar to the US R9X Hellfire "Ninja Missile," but in a much cheaper and more portable form.
This technology is also accessible to groups that cannot manufacture reliable explosives, as it is essentially a high-speed racing drone equipped with a blade.
On April 8, 2026, a significant advancement in drone technology was documented as Ukraine began utilizing modified FPV quadcopters equipped with fixed wings to strike Russian forces.
This specific modification involved adding aerodynamic wings to a standard FPV quadcopter, a design choice that provided additional lift. By reducing the energy required to stay airborne, the wings allowed the drones to travel much longer distances than conventional FPV systems.
According to reports from Militarnyi, this improved efficiency enabled operators to strike targets deeper behind Russian lines, with the platforms observed carrying PG-7 munitions for these extended missions.
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