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Ukraine Unveils Gnome-NS: New Ground “Mother Drone” for Carrying FPVs
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
The Ukrainian defense tech company has officially introduced the Gnome-NS, a specialized ground robotic platform designed to serve as a mobile carrier for FPV strike drones, according to a report by Temerland on March 3.
The system is engineered to extend the operational range of aerial loitering munitions while keeping human operators at a safe distance from the front line.
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The Gnome-NS features a unique wheel-caterpillar hybrid chassis, a design choice intended to ensure high mobility across the varied and difficult terrain of the Ukrainian theater.
By combining wheels with tracks, the platform maintains stability and traction in mud, snow, and uneven landscapes.
According to technical specifications released by Temerland, the system supports multiple communication protocols:
Radio-frequency control: standard wireless operation for high-speed maneuvers;
Optical fiber channels: used for interference-resistant, “unjammable” connections, allowing the drone to operate in environments with heavy Electronic Warfare (EW) activity.
“The remote launch and control of drones can be carried out through radio or optical channels,” the company stated in its official presentation, noting that the system is designed for engineering, logistics, and specialized military tasks without direct driver involvement.
The primary tactical goal of the Gnome-NS is to act as a “mother ship” for FPV drones. By transporting aerial units deep into contested territory before launch, the robotic complex allows strike drones to reach targets far beyond their standard battery life or signal range.
Furthermore, Temerland highlighted the system’s ability to operate from “deep positions” or ambushes. This allows the ground unit to remain concealed while launching aerial strikes on enemy assets that enter the FPV drone’s zone of operation.
The launch process is managed directly by an FPV operator via a remote control or through the platform’s integrated movement control system.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense approved the domestically developed tracked robotic platform “Donkey” for operational use, designed to handle logistics, evacuation, surveillance, and engineering tasks on the battlefield.
According to the ministry, the electric-powered unmanned ground vehicle can carry up to 200 kilograms and operate in difficult terrain, offering a technological contrast to reports that Russian troops have resorted to using live donkeys for frontline supply transport.
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