Ukraine’s demand for tiny drone laser-targeting systems spurs new product launches

WARSAW, Poland — Several European companies are promoting their laser solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles at this year’s Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, seeking to a fill critical technology gap for Ukraine’s defense.

Lithuania’s Aktyvus Photonics has announced it is tripling the production of its ultra-compact UAV laser-designation systems this year, using its 2025 profits to expand operations. As Ukraine’s front lines rely on small drones, and the laser systems that guide the Ukrainian military’s missiles are predominantly heavy and expensive, the company has developed a system that fits in a hand and weighs 200 grams, according to company representatives.

“Our laser components are supplied to defense integrators and contractors across NATO-allied Europe. As we are a Lithuanian company on NATO’s eastern flank, the Baltic region is a natural focus for us — both geographically and strategically, given the security environment here,” Laurynas Šatas, the CEO of Aktyvus Photonics, told Defense News. “Our technology is also present in Ukraine, where real battlefield conditions have tested and validated what we build.”

Estonian company Threod Systems continues to expand its range of drone launchers and UAVs that are also employed in Ukraine’s combat against the Russian invasion. At this year’s Eurosatory, the producer is unveiling its Eos D ISTAR, a new-generation smallvertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone.

The solution combines a lightweight aircraft with a high-capability sensor system “to bring laser designation and reconnaissance capability into a lightweight unmanned aircraft system,” the Estonian company said in a statement.

“Laser designation itself is not a new capability, but a precision-support function should not be limited to larger systems or unmanned platforms,” said Arno Vaik, the CEO of Threod Systems. “Our focus has been to bring that capability into a smaller VTOL UAS that tactical units can deploy and operate significantly more easily.”

Threod Systems has used feedback from operators in Ukraine, where the company runs a training center, to enhance the software algorithms and operating procedures for its craft. The gear’s combat experience has facilitated exports to 27 countries, including 14 NATO member states, according to data from Threod Systems.

Jaroslaw Adamowski is the Poland correspondent for Defense News.

波兰华沙——今年在巴黎举行的欧洲防务展上，多家欧洲公司正在推广其用于无人机的激光解决方案，以期填补乌克兰国防的关键技术缺口。

立陶宛Aktyvus Photonics公司宣布，今年将把其超紧凑型无人机激光指示系统的产量提高三倍，并计划利用2025年的利润扩大业务。由于乌克兰前线主要依赖小型无人机，而乌克兰军方导弹的激光制导系统大多笨重且昂贵，该公司代表表示，他们开发了一种仅重200克、可握于手中的系统。

“我们的激光组件供应给遍布北约盟国欧洲的国防集成商和承包商。作为一家位于北约东翼的立陶宛公司，波罗的海地区自然成为我们的重点市场——无论从地理位置还是战略角度来看，考虑到这里的安全环境，”Aktyvus Photonics 首席执行官 Laurynas Šatas 告诉《防务新闻》。“我们的技术也已应用于乌克兰，那里的实战环境已经检验并验证了我们产品的可靠性。”

爱沙尼亚公司Threod Systems持续拓展其无人机发射器和无人飞行器产品线，这些产品也被用于乌克兰对抗俄罗斯入侵的战斗中。在今年的欧洲防务展（Eurosatory）上，该公司推出了新一代小型垂直起降（VTOL）无人机Eos D ISTAR。

爱沙尼亚公司在一份声明中表示，该解决方案将轻型飞机与高性能传感器系统相结合，“将激光指示和侦察能力带入轻型无人机系统”。

“激光指示本身并非一项新技术，但精确制导功能不应仅限于大型系统或无人平台，”Threod Systems首席执行官Arno Vaik表示。“我们的目标是将这项功能集成到更小的垂直起降无人机系统中，使战术部队能够更轻松地部署和操作。”

Threod Systems公司利用其在乌克兰（该公司在乌克兰设有培训中心）的操作人员的反馈，改进了其产品的软件算法和操作流程。据Threod Systems公司的数据，该产品的实战经验使其成功出口到27个国家，其中包括14个北约成员国。

Jaroslaw Adamowski 是《防务新闻》驻波兰记者。