16 March 2026
The Ukrainian company Black Forest Systems has developed the SHADOX reconnaissance and strike UAV for infantry units.
The system was presented at the Arsenal of Talents defense tech job fair, where Militarnyi was an information partner.
Oleksandr Davydenko, CEO of Black Forest Systems, told Militarnyi that the drone is designed so that anyone without FPV experience can operate it.
“The main feature is not just the electronics inside, although we had to redesign them completely. It’s impossible to create a vehicle with basic FPV components that flies stably and remains airborne without GPS. The key is the architectural design, which allows someone familiar with a DJI Avata or a smartphone to operate it,” Davydenko said.
Shadox drone. Photo credits: Black Forest
According to Davydenko, preparing the drone for launch does not require configuring frequencies or remote controls. One button on the remote and one on the drone automatically connects the system within about 25 seconds, displays the video stream, and allows immediate launch.
The drone weighs 800 grams and has a tactical range of 1.5–2 km in tests, with a stable operational distance of 1 km.
“A short range — primarily for the SOF, and secondarily for infantry. The idea is that any infantryman who can use a smartphone can operate this drone,” he explained.
The SHADOX is designed for both surveillance and strike missions. It carries a 330-gram warhead and is controlled via a secure digital communication channel. While it lacks a PRFH, it uses a broad frequency range over 1 GHz, making jamming difficult. The company plans to add automatic pseudo-random frequency hopping in future versions.
The first batch of 50 drones will be produced and delivered to the units involved in the project.
Shadox drone during testing. Photo credits: Black Forest
“This concept came from the SOF and service members of the International Legion. Previously, we had a similar system, but it was much larger. The military requested a more compact design,” Davydenko shared.
In early March 2026, Black Forest Systems raised $400,000 from Front Ventures and Hede Capital Partners. The funding will support mass production of SHADOX, targeting 300-500 drones per month.