Lviv Engineers Develop Unique Power System for Drones, Enabling 200 km Range

Engineers from Lviv have made a significant advancement in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by creating a unique power system for 'Wing' type drones. This innovative technology allows drones to cover distances previously deemed unattainable, enabling them to carry out combat missions deep behind enemy lines. Communication specialist Yelizaveta Nechet reported this development in her article for NV.

Imagine a simple agricultural drone typically used for assessing crop yields or creating field maps. The standard range of such a drone is up to 30 kilometers. Now, envision this agricultural assistant transforming into a weapon capable of flying nearly 200 kilometers into enemy territory without recharging and striking equipment valued in the millions of dollars.

In July 2025, military forces on the Sumy front first recorded that a Ukrainian drone managed to penetrate 40 kilometers into enemy territory using the new PAWELL batteries. During this flight, the drone identified a Buk-M1 surface-to-air missile system, relayed the coordinates, and Ukrainian artillery successfully destroyed this Russian installation, which is estimated to be worth around 10 million dollars.

By October, the developers surpassed their own record, achieving impressive results. The POSTMAN type UAV became the first in history to cover 197 kilometers southward, which is 35% more than what the standard battery of this drone physically allowed. It carried a payload of 15 kilograms, struck an enemy ammunition depot, and returned with about 10% energy reserve, sufficient for an additional 20 to 25 kilometers of flight. For comparison, with the manufacturer's standard battery, the same UAV could fly a maximum of 135 kilometers.

This remarkable achievement was made possible by changes in the drone's power elements. Engineers at PAWELL battery selected a new battery chemistry, transitioning from traditional Li-ion to LiNMC—elements used in Tesla and Mercedes electric vehicles. Co-founder of PAWELL, Pavlo Esip, explains: "Simply put, these elements allow the drone to take in more energy for the same weight of the battery. This means it can fly further or carry a larger payload. For example, popular LiPo batteries are heavier and store less energy. Therefore, we switched to LiNMC—they are lighter, more powerful, and allow for flexible battery assembly tailored to specific types of drones."

According to Esip, there is no universal battery for all drones—each type of UAV has its specific requirements. For some drones, weight is critically important, while for others, current output or maximum battery capacity is essential. For example, a relay drone needs to stay airborne for long periods, making battery capacity crucial. In contrast, maneuverable FPV drones require low weight and high power. In the case of fixed-wing UAVs, the balance of weight, capacity, and battery cost becomes decisive.

The next goal for the engineers is to surpass the 400-kilometer mark. They already have a plan on how to achieve this. Drones have become a primary weapon for Ukraine on the battlefield, accounting for 80-85% of hits at the front. This forces the enemy to change its tactics. Increasingly, Russian units are moving in small groups or using primitive transport, as heavy armored vehicles have become too noticeable a target.

The chief sergeant of the UAV battalion of the 24th separate mechanized brigade, Yuriy, call sign Liss, notes: "If a year ago the kill zone between positions was about 2 kilometers, now it has expanded to 5-6 kilometers, and in some directions, even up to 7 kilometers."

Military experts believe that this situation is part of a deep asymmetric deterrence strategy. The goal is to make the war so costly that its continuation becomes unfeasible. Five-hundred-dollar drones destroy equipment that costs tens or hundreds of times more. Conditionally speaking, for one tank valued at 10 million dollars, there are hundreds of drones priced at 500-1000 dollars.

With the increase in flight range, this effect is only amplified. Drones capable of flying 200+ kilometers effectively create for Ukraine its own A2/AD (Anti-Access/Area Denial) zone. This means that enemy airfields, oil depots, or railway hubs in the hypothetical Rostov-on-Don could be under constant threat of attack.

Unlike expensive missiles, which are always limited in quantity, drones can be launched daily and in significant numbers. This forces the enemy to spend billions on air defense systems in an attempt to protect its strategic assets.