Zvirobiy B-21

History

The Zvirobiy B-21 is a Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle developed for reconnaissance, surveillance, strike, route, and special missions. Ukrainian company Zvirobiy presented the B-21 in 2026 as a modular platform whose equipment and payload can be selected for the required mission.

The aircraft uses catapult launch, allowing deployment from field positions without a prepared runway. Its modular architecture permits selection of control links, video transmission equipment, navigation equipment, flight electronics, power supply, and payload according to the operator's technical requirements.

Initial reporting in September 2026 described the B-21 with a payload of 3–7 kg and an operating radius of 20–45 km. The manufacturer's current B-21 specifications instead list a payload of 3–9 kg and an operational radius of 45+ km, with actual performance dependent on configuration, payload, communication link, and operating conditions. An independent September 2026 report recorded the earlier figures.

Design

The B-21 is a fixed-wing UAV designed around a modular configuration rather than a single standard equipment set. Zvirobiy states that parameters and onboard equipment are selected for the mission profile and for compatibility with equipment already used by the operating unit.

Mission equipment

The platform can be configured with different control systems, video-transmission systems, navigation equipment, flight electronics, power supplies, and payloads. Available communication frequencies and equipment can therefore vary between configurations. For reconnaissance missions, observation and video-transmission equipment can be selected according to crew requirements. Strike and special-mission configurations use payloads selected for the assigned task.

Launch and field deployment

The B-21 is launched by catapult and does not require a prepared runway. The manufacturer's described field-deployment sequence consists of platform assembly, payload installation and system checks, preparation of the control link and video communications, entry of flight-mission parameters, catapult launch, and execution of the selected mission.

Flight configuration

Zvirobiy describes the fixed-wing arrangement as suitable for stable route missions and efficient use of available energy. The company states that the operational radius depends on the communication link and other configuration choices.

Program status

By September 2026, Zvirobiy had publicly presented the B-21 and offered configuration information for the platform. The UAV was also presented through the BRAVE1 Market for Ukrainian military units. The supplied sources do not establish a date for prototype completion, first flight, serial production, or operational service entry.

Variants

• Reconnaissance configuration — Configured with observation and video-transmission equipment selected according to operator requirements.
• Strike configuration — Configured for strike missions at tactical depth, with the manufacturer listing payload capacity up to 9 kg.
• Special-mission configuration — Uses equipment and payload selected for the designated mission profile.
• Route-mission configuration — Fixed-wing configuration intended for stable operation along a defined flight route.
• Custom configuration — Adapted to available control links, video communications, navigation equipment, and other components used by the operating unit.

Specifications (Zvirobiy B-21)

General characteristics

• Platform type: Fixed-wing UAV
• Payload: 3–9 kg, depending on configuration
• Launch method: Catapult

Performance

• Operational radius: 45+ km, dependent on communication link, payload, configuration, and operating conditions

Mission profiles

• Reconnaissance and surveillance: Observation and video-transmission missions
• Strike: Target-engagement missions using an appropriate payload configuration
• Special missions: Mission-specific equipment and payload
• Route missions: Flight along a defined route