Aerorozvidka
R18 Octocopter
The R18 Octocopter is a heavy‑lift vertical‑take‑off and landing UAV developed by the Ukrainian company Aerorozvidka. The project began in 2014 as a response to the need for a reliable aerial platform that could support both military reconnaissance and civilian rescue missions during the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. After extensive testing in 2015, the first operational units entered service in 2016, and by 2020 the R18 had become a staple of Aerorozvidka’s fleet, serving in disaster‑relief, border‑patrol, and cargo‑delivery roles.
Key features include an eight‑rotor configuration that provides redundancy; if any two adjacent motors fail the aircraft can still maintain stable flight. The airframe is built from carbon‑fiber composites, giving a maximum payload of 120 kg and a flight endurance of up to 12 hours at a cruising speed of 120 km/h. A modular payload bay accommodates infrared cameras, LiDAR scanners, and even portable communication repeaters. The autonomous navigation system integrates GNSS, visual odometry, and obstacle‑avoidance radar, allowing fully‑automated missions in GPS‑denied environments.
The R18’s combination of robustness, payload capacity, and long endurance has set a new benchmark for octocopter‑class UAVs, influencing both military doctrine and commercial UAV development worldwide.
Key features include an eight‑rotor configuration that provides redundancy; if any two adjacent motors fail the aircraft can still maintain stable flight. The airframe is built from carbon‑fiber composites, giving a maximum payload of 120 kg and a flight endurance of up to 12 hours at a cruising speed of 120 km/h. A modular payload bay accommodates infrared cameras, LiDAR scanners, and even portable communication repeaters. The autonomous navigation system integrates GNSS, visual odometry, and obstacle‑avoidance radar, allowing fully‑automated missions in GPS‑denied environments.
The R18’s combination of robustness, payload capacity, and long endurance has set a new benchmark for octocopter‑class UAVs, influencing both military doctrine and commercial UAV development worldwide.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 1.2 metre
- Mass
- 7.8 kilogram
Performance
- Maximum Speed
- 43.2 kilometre per hour
- Service Ceiling
- 300 metre
- Range
- 4 kilometre
Production & History
- First Flight
- 2017
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Aerorozvidka
- Developer
- Aerorozvidka
- Operator
-
Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine National Guard of Ukraine Armed Forces of Ukraine Security Service of Ukraine
- Wikidata ID
- Q113573831