Japan has unveiled an ultra-low-cost drone developed based on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine

Japan has unveiled a new drone, the ACM-01 Shiraha, which is notable for its extremely low cost and ease of production. The design is based on an analysis of modern combat operations, particularly the experience of full-scale war in Ukraine.

This was reported by Defence Blog.

The drone has a wooden fuselage and costs about $450 per unit. Despite its affordable price, its wingspan reaches 1.9 meters. Engineers deliberately avoided using expensive materials, focusing instead on mass production and rapid replacement of lost units.

All drone components are manufactured within Japan, ensuring independence from external suppliers and stability in production processes.

The developers position Shiraha as a training platform for intensive use. If a drone is lost, it can be quickly replaced without significant financial costs, which is particularly important for training operators.

Over the past few years, Japanese experts have closely studied the course of the war in Ukraine, including the rate of equipment losses and logistics. As a result, they concluded that modern conflicts require a large number of inexpensive and readily available drones.

The design of the ACM-01 Shiraha allows for the rapid replacement of damaged components, scaling up production to thousands of units per month, and adapting the drone for various tasks by installing additional equipment.

Although the base version is intended for training, the platform has the potential for combat use. In particular, it allows for the installation of improved communication systems and increased flight range, which could transform the drone into a fully-fledged tool for combat missions.

In addition to the drone itself, the developers presented a comprehensive operator training system called Skill House. It includes spare drones, repair services, and intensive pilot training.

This approach helps overcome the psychological barrier among military personnel, as they are not afraid of losing expensive equipment and can practice complex maneuvers in conditions that closely resemble real-world scenarios.

Earlier, the Raybird reconnaissance drone, powered by a hydrogen-fueled electric motor, began performing combat missions on the front lines.