Russia has created the "Pepelats-20" cargo quadcopter, capable of delivering up to 20 kilograms of payload over a distance of 12–13 kilometers. As NPO "Liptekh" told TASS, the development took into account the requests of soldiers from the front line. The drone combines a logistical function with the possibility of operational modernization: thermal imagers, repeaters, and drop systems can be installed on board.
The machine was originally designed as a universal platform. In addition to supplying units on the line of combat contact, "Pepelats-20" can conduct aerial photography, monitoring, and reconnaissance, and also be used in agriculture. The flight controller and communication system are maximally localized, and the design uses batteries of NPO's own production.
The developers maintain constant feedback with military personnel in the special military operation zone and promptly make changes to the design. Thus, "Pepelats-20" turns into a flying platform whose configuration changes depending on the task – from evacuation to retransmission. For the front line, this means the appearance of a heavy "universal" capable of covering several tactical niches at once without waiting for factory modifications.