Ukraine is preparing to unveil the Grim drone, which will serve as a low-cost alternative to Russia's Molniya
The Ukrainian company GrimTech is finalizing the development of the Grim LA-80, an aircraft-type attack drone. The drone’s design is similar to that of the Russian “Molniya” drones. The new drone was unveiled at the MSPO 2026 defense exhibition in Kielce, Poland.
Currently, the Grim LA-80 is in the final stages of development and has not yet been used in combat conditions.
The company is preparing to manufacture a test batch of drones, which it plans to hand over to the military for field testing.
The drone is designed for a payload of up to 5 kg and a flight range of up to 80 km. At the same time, one of GrimTech’s main priorities is low production costs.
The primary purpose of the Grim LA-80 is to strike stationary targets in the enemy’s rear. This includes, in particular, fortifications, dugouts, caponiers, and military equipment that remains in one place for an extended period.
According to a GrimTech representative, the flight range will depend on the payload weight. With a payload of about 2 kg, the drone could theoretically travel up to 100 km; however, communication stability remains one of the main limitations.
The company notes that it is focusing on combining a larger payload with an increased flight range.
Several communication options are being considered for controlling the Grim LA-80: a basic radio channel, digital video link, and Starlink.
GrimTech considers satellite communication to be the priority solution, as it is expected to ensure more stable control of the drone over long distances.
The production-model airframe is planned to be manufactured using vacuum forming. This is expected to make the design lighter, stronger, and more suitable for rapid production scaling.
The wings will be made of foam, and the design will also incorporate aluminum tubes and plywood.
GrimTech does not manufacture the combat components for this drone. They will be installed directly by military units.
The cargo compartment design will be adapted to accommodate various types of munitions, including those with a sufficiently large diameter. Additionally, the system will allow the position of the munitions to be adjusted to ensure proper balance of the aircraft.
GrimTech provided an update on the current stage of production preparation:
“We are refining and polishing the product to ensure high quality, and we are attempting to manufacture a test batch of prototypes to send to the front lines for testing and field trials,” company representatives noted.
So far, the Grim LA-80 has not seen combat use, and the developers are finalizing the design and individual systems.
The next step will be the production of a test batch, after which the drones will be delivered to the Ukrainian military for field testing.
This was reported by “Military.”
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