RAM-2X

History

RAM-2X is a Ukrainian strike unmanned aerial vehicle and loitering munition used during the Russia-Ukraine war. It has an X-shaped aerodynamic configuration and is intended for long-range precision attacks against military targets.

The system was first revealed in April 2024. Public descriptions identify it as an upgraded development of the RAM-II loitering munition, which was based on the DeViRo Leleka-100 reconnaissance UAV. This development relationship is described in the RAM-2X overview.

Exact performance data have not been officially disclosed. Available reports describe electric propulsion, catapult launch, terminal machine-vision guidance and several warhead options, while published range figures vary between sources.

Development and public presentation

RAM-2X appeared publicly after a closed demonstration in April 2024. In December 2024 it was displayed together with the Ukrspecsystems Shark reconnaissance UAV. The pairing was presented as a coordinated reconnaissance and strike system, with the Shark supporting target detection, tracking and assessment after an attack.

In April 2025, photographs of a crashed RAM-2X in occupied Donetsk Oblast provided additional information about its construction and payload. Defense Express reported that markings on the recovered warhead indicated a mass of 2.7 kg and were interpreted as identifying an explosively formed penetrator type. The publication also reported that the warhead carried a production marking corresponding to January 2024 or the first quarter of 2024.

Design

Airframe

RAM-2X uses X-shaped aerodynamic surfaces. Reports describing the design state that this arrangement improves maneuverability and allows the aircraft to remain controllable at comparatively low speeds. The UAV is electrically powered and is launched by catapult.

Guidance and communications

The system has been described as using machine vision to acquire and automatically engage a target during the terminal phase of flight. This capability is intended to permit the attack to continue when the command link becomes unavailable because of radio-horizon limitations or electronic warfare.

A companion reconnaissance or relay UAV can support long-range employment. Militarnyi described a repeater drone as a core element of the system, providing target detection, tracking, communications support and post-strike assessment. The Shark UAV has also been publicly presented with RAM-2X in this role, although Defense Express characterized its signal-relay function as a probable additional capability rather than a confirmed specification.

Warhead

Reported payload options include fragmentation, thermobaric and armor-piercing warheads with masses of up to approximately 3 kg. Militarnyi reported that the armor-piercing version is claimed to penetrate up to 40 mm of armor. Separately, the recovered example examined in 2025 carried a 2.7 kg warhead whose markings were interpreted by Defense Express as indicating an explosively formed penetrator. These reports do not establish that every RAM-2X uses the same warhead.

Operational history

RAM-2X has been used by Ukrainian forces against stationary military installations and moving vehicles. Reported operations have included attacks in the Donetsk, Kursk and Luhansk regions.

In September 2025, a RAM-2X reportedly flew more than 100 km from the front line and struck a Russian Pantsir-S1 air-defense system at Luhansk airport. Militarnyi reported that geolocation researchers identified the position and that subsequent satellite imagery showed burn marks and the disappearance of the Pantsir vehicle. A second claimed Pantsir-S1 strike near Snizhne in Donetsk Oblast was reported without independent visual confirmation.

On August 27, 2026, the Ukrainian 429th Unmanned Systems Brigade Achilles reported a RAM-2X strike against a Russian Nebo-U radar at Millerovo military airfield in Rostov Oblast. The airfield was described as approximately 170 km from the line of contact. A Ukrainian reconnaissance UAV surveyed the site before the attack and recorded activity around the airfield. The source described the operation as an action by the brigade's long-range strike company and also stated that the strike was conducted by the 1st Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces.

Also on August 27, 2026, Defence Blog reported an allegation by a Ukrainian defense analyst that footage of a RAM-2X strike had appeared in a promotional video for the American Switchblade 600. The allegation was based partly on similarities in targeting symbology and was not presented as an independently established identification.

Operators

• Ukraine: Ukrainian forces have used RAM-2X loitering munitions during the Russia-Ukraine war.

Specifications (RAM-2X)

General characteristics

• Type: Strike UAV and loitering munition.
• Configuration: Fixed-wing aircraft with X-shaped aerodynamic surfaces.
• Propulsion: Electric motor.
• Launch method: Catapult launch.

Performance

• Range: Exact range is undisclosed. Published reports describe operational employment beyond 100 km, while other sources cite approximately 120 km or claim distances exceeding 150 km.
• Maximum speed: Exact performance is undisclosed; some reports cite up to 160 km/h.

Guidance

• Terminal guidance: Reported machine-vision target acquisition and automatic terminal targeting.
• Communications support: Can operate with a companion reconnaissance or relay UAV to extend communications and support target detection and post-strike assessment.

Armament

• Warhead mass: Reportedly up to approximately 3 kg, depending on warhead type.
• Warhead options: Fragmentation, thermobaric and armor-piercing types have been reported.
• Recovered warhead: A crashed example examined in 2025 carried a 2.7 kg warhead interpreted from its markings as an explosively formed penetrator.
• Armor penetration: The armor-piercing version has been reported as capable of penetrating up to 40 mm of armor.

Related equipment

• RAM-II: Predecessor from which RAM-2X is described as an upgraded development.
• DeViRo Leleka-100: Reconnaissance UAV forming the design basis of the earlier RAM-II according to published descriptions.
• Shark UAV: Ukrainian reconnaissance UAV publicly demonstrated in combination with RAM-2X for reconnaissance, targeting and strike support.