Sting (drone)
| Company type | Military technology |
|---|---|
| Industry | Defense |
| Founded | 2024 |
| Founder | Wild Hornets team |
| Headquarters | Ukraine |
| Products | Loitering munition drone (anti-drone) |
The Sting (Ukrainian: Стінг) is a Ukrainian-developed loitering munition designed to intercept drones, created amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[1]
Description
The Sting was created by the Wild Hornets team specifically to counter the overwhelming numbers of Shahed drones deployed by Russia against Ukrainian urban areas, which pose challenges to conventional air defense systems.
Featuring a bullet-shaped, aerodynamic frame produced through 3-D printing technology and powered by four rotors, the Sting achieves flight speeds up to 213 mph (343 km/h) and operates at cruising altitudes near 10,000 ft (3,000 m). It incorporates Kurbas thermal imaging cameras supplied by Odd Systems. The Sting is capable of engaging targets within a radius of 25 kilometers.
The approximate cost to produce a single Sting drone is $2,100, making it considerably more affordable than the roughly $35,000 price tag of a Shahed drone.
Operational history
In May 2025, the Wild Hornets released thermal imaging footage showcasing a Sting interceptor successfully neutralizing a Shahed drone, signifying a major advancement in frontline drone defense capabilities.
By 1 August 2025, the manufacturer of the Sting's thermal cameras reported that Ukrainian forces had intercepted "dozens of Iranian-Russian drones" using these interceptors.
During October 2025, a Ukrainian military delegation traveled to Denmark where they demonstrated the Sting's effectiveness by successfully engaging a QinetiQ Banshee target drone.
As of October 2025, Sting interceptor drones have been credited with destroying in excess of 1,000 hostile UAVs.
See also
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- List of Russo-Ukrainian War military equipment
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- UJ-26 Template:Annotated link
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References
- ↑ Barnes, Joe (2024-10-20). "Anti-drone drone developed by Ukraine to take out Iranian-designed kamikazes". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-10-04.