Ukraine Reveals Queen Hornet FPV Drone with Grenade Launcher, Video

The workshop Wild Hornets  has shared footage of soldiers from the “Bulava” unit, part of the Presidential Brigade named after Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, testing a grenade launcher mounted on their largest FPV drone, the Queen Hornet. More details were provided in a segment by Army TV.

“An idea that’s been in the air”

According to a soldier with the callsign UDAV, ideas for weaponizing drones in this way have been around for a long time. However, there had not been a suitable platform—“a drone that could handle all our 'crazy ideas,’” he says, referring to the FPV drone equipped with a handheld anti-tank grenade launcher.

The potential tactical applications are extensive, with city battles being a key use case. According to UDAV, “There are many places where we need to fly in and strike,” and the multi-use nature of FPV drones with RPGs makes them versatile compared to suicide drones.

Another option is finishing off damaged Russian vehicles that were left behind on the battlefield. Often, significant drone resources are spent destroying already damaged equipment, but a reusable FPV drone allows them to target weaknesses in abandoned tanks and armored vehicles.

Accurate targeting

The drone-gunner’s structure uses easily available components that can be found in hardware stores. Soldiers emphasize that for targeting, they rely on an on-screen sight, with tests demonstrating reliable accuracy. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the Queen Hornet drone has enough power to maintain stability in strong winds. The drone can also be outfitted with thermal imaging to improve night-time operation.

Field trials of the FPV drone with a grenade launcher

In September 2024, Ukrainian developers in collaboration with the military conducted successful tests of the Queen Hornet FPV drone, armed with an anti-personnel grenade launcher, the Bulspike-AP. The tests demonstrated the drone’s ability to engage targets at distances exceeding 5 kilometers, significantly expanding its operational range.

According to developers, the Queen Hornet can carry a payload of up to 9.5 kilograms over a distance of 5 kilometers, or a lighter 6-kilogram load up to 17 kilometers, increasing its potential effectiveness on the battlefield.

The Bulspike-AP grenade, used in testing, is an explosive fragmentation grenade capable of targeting personnel, unarmored, and lightly armored vehicles.

Modular and multi-functional design

The Queen Hornet, designed by Wild Hornets, is a versatile drone capable of performing various roles: bomber, suicide, transport, and even as a carrier for other drones or communication relay. With more than a hundred of these drones already deployed at the front and production increasing monthly, the drone has become a valuable asset. Notably, about 65% of its components are sourced domestically, including custom-developed Ukrainian electronics.

The developers aim to introduce an updated version of the drone, with a more robust frame, enhanced communication systems, and doubled payload capacity.

Innovative design for minimal risk

A member of the Bulava unit, known by the call-sign Udav, explains that drones allow them to take tactical risks without endangering soldiers. He emphasizes the importance of cost-effectiveness in warfare: “Losing a drone is far less costly than losing a person.” The development of a drone-mounted RPG launcher was driven by the desire to avoid human casualties, inspired by science fiction visions that now reflect real warfare.

The Queen Hornet, the largest Ukrainian FPV drone currently in active service, was developed upon request from one of Ukrainian battalion commander, who wanted a relatively affordable and accessible FPV bomber. Its high payload capacity allows for extended mission ranges, providing critical support in various combat scenarios.