Refined amid Russian invasion, Ukraine's Raybird drone could replace UK's ailing Watchkeeper

Battle-hardened. Multi-role. This is Ukraine's Raybird drone.

With its precision laser designator and a flying time of up to 28 hours, this powerful unmanned aerial system, or UAS, is being used for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance – otherwise known as ISTAR.

The Raybird has more than 350,000 combat hours under its belt and is now being touted as a potential replacement for the UK's much-criticised Watchkeeper drone, which is due to leave service in 2027. 

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BFBS Forces News' Sofie Cacoyannis has more details about the Raybird, and why it is such a vital tool on Ukraine's frontline, in the video above.