BlueBird Tech Bebradron-M

History

The BlueBird Tech Bebradron-M is a Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle developed as a practical training target and aerial decoy. BlueBird Tech presented the modification in August 2026 for training interceptor-drone operators and mobile air-defense crews.

The aircraft is based on the company's Bebradron combat UAV but uses a different equipment configuration. Bebradron-M has no warhead and is intended to let crews detect, pursue and intercept a real flying target under conditions closer to field training than computer simulation.

The UAV can also simulate false aerial targets. Foil material can be applied to its wings to increase radar visibility, creating additional radar returns during exercises involving multiple simulated air targets.

Development

BlueBird Tech first presented the original Bebradron strike platform in December 2025. According to a developer interview, the combat aircraft was conceived as a relatively simple fixed-wing attack UAV and was manually controlled through FPV equipment or a ground station.

The Bebradron platform continued to receive updates during 2026. The source material reports that the combat version received a guidance system in July 2026, while other upgrades to the UAV complex included wired communication with the ground control station, automatic activation of the pneumatic catapult and a rotating mechanism for the mast.

BlueBird Tech unveiled Bebradron-M on 17 August 2026. Reports from dev.ua and Oboronka describe it as a special training modification intended for interceptor-drone operators and crews practicing the engagement of aerial targets.

Design

Bebradron-M retains the general design and operating principle of the combat Bebradron, but its onboard equipment is configured for training and target simulation. The aircraft is remotely operated and is launched from a pneumatic catapult. An automatic takeoff function is provided.

Training and decoy configuration

The Bebradron-M has no warhead. It can carry up to 2 kg of payload and, in its standard training configuration, does not include cruise-control or navigation systems. This simplified configuration allows the aircraft to serve as a reusable practical target for crews learning to detect, pursue and intercept a real UAV.

For radar-oriented exercises, foil materials can be fitted to the wings to increase radar visibility. This enables the UAV to generate an additional radar return and simulate a larger number of aerial targets. Euromaidan Press also reported this decoy function when describing the aircraft's training role.

Control and onboard equipment

The basic configuration includes a twilight camera, analog video communication, control on 915 MHz and a 6S3P battery. The source material also identifies a 5.8 GHz analog video link. The aircraft remains under operator control during flight.

The platform is modular. Depending on customer requirements, BlueBird Tech can change the control frequency and video-link configuration or install additional equipment, including a navigation system.

Program status

Bebradron-M was publicly presented in August 2026. The available sources describe its intended training and decoy roles but do not identify confirmed military operators, procurement quantities or formal entry into operational service.

At the time of the presentation, BlueBird Tech was also expanding international cooperation. The company and France's Galion Group had signed a memorandum of understanding covering deeper cooperation in defense technologies and international partnerships.

Specifications (Bebradron-M)

General characteristics

• Type: Fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle
• Role: Training target and aerial decoy
• Control: Remote operator control
• Payload: Up to 2 kg
• Launch method: Pneumatic catapult with automatic takeoff support
• Standard control frequency: 915 MHz
• Video system: Twilight camera with analog video communication
• Battery: 6S3P

Performance

• Cruising speed: 70 km/h
• Maximum speed: Up to 115 km/h
• Operating radius: Up to 30 km
• Flight endurance: Up to 25 minutes
• Operating altitude: 200–700 m

Armament

• Warhead: None

Related equipment

• Bebradron: Original BlueBird Tech combat fixed-wing UAV from which the Bebradron-M training modification was developed. The combat version was presented in December 2025 with a substantially different mission and payload configuration.