Ukraine codifies Dovbush T40 for deep strikes and reconnaissance
Nation7 September, 01:00 AM
NV explains its capabilities in an infographic.
The Dovbush T40 drone is a UAV designed for deep
reconnaissance, fire adjustment and precision strikes on enemy targets,
equipment and personnel.
Dovbush drones were among the UAVs launched by Ukraine’s Defense Forces
during the August 2026 attack on Novorossiysk. The strike was one of the most
successful recent attacks. Four Russian warships were hit in the port of
Novorossiysk, along with infrastructure and air defense systems at the naval
base there. The base is one of the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s key facilities and
its main outpost in the Black Sea. Russia moved a significant portion of its
ships there after successful operations by Ukraine’s Defense Forces left it
unable to base them safely in temporarily occupied Crimea.
The Dovbush drones used in the attack are manufactured in Ukraine. Their key
specifications include:
- Operating time: more than 1 day
- Range: 2,000 km
- Wingspan: 5 meters
The UAV has a twin-boom design with a low-mounted central nacelle and a
high-mounted wing.
It has a V-tail configuration.
It is powered by an internal combustion engine with electronic fuel
injection. The engine is mounted at the rear of the fuselage.
The drone has an ultra-low radar signature and high resistance to electronic
warfare systems.
It can strike a target either by direct impact or by dropping a munition.
The Dovbush drone series has several variants:
Dovbush T10
Designed for observation, reconnaissance and artillery fire adjustment. In
2024, the UAV began serving as a carrier for FPV drones.
- Operating range: 35 km
- Payload: 12 kg
- Cost: about $11,000
Dovbush T20
Designed for medium-range reconnaissance, real-time artillery fire
adjustment and precision strikes on enemy targets.
- Speed: 115 km/h
- Weight: 25 kg
- Payload: 10 kg
- Flight endurance: 90 minutes
- Flight altitude: 4 km
- Cost: $8,000
Data from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and the National Defense University
of Ukraine’s Center for Military and Strategic Studies