Aircraft & UAVs

AQ-400 Scythe

Also known as
  • AQ 400 Scythe
  • AQ400 Scythe
  • AQ-400
  • AQ 400
  • Scythe
  • One Way Aerospace AQ 400 Scythe
  • Terminal Autonomy AQ 400 Scythe

The AQ-400 Scythe is a Ukrainian long-range one-way strike UAV developed by Terminal Autonomy, previously One Way Aerospace, for mass production and deep-strike missions. Its modular airframe, short-runway or catapult launch options, and visual/terrain-aided navigation are intended to give Ukrainian forces a comparatively low-cost way to carry a sizable payload hundreds of kilometers under electronic-warfare pressure.

AQ-400 Scythe, Long-range one-way strike UAV, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: AQ 400 SCYTHE

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Ukraine
Type
Long-range one-way strike UAV
Service note
Introduced during the full-scale 2014 Russia-Ukraine War
Designer
Terminal Autonomy
Designed
2022-2023
Unit cost
Reported roughly $15,000-$30,000 depending on configuration
Produced
2023-present
Number built
Not publicly confirmed; early reporting described production targets of 100 to 1,000 per month

Specifications

Wingspan
3.2 m
Maximum takeoff weight
100 kg
Payload
43 kg
Range
750 km
Speed
144 km/h
Ceiling
4,000 m
Endurance
7 hours
Guidance
Autonomous visual and terrain-aided navigation with AI assistance
Launch method
Reported short-runway or catapult launch options
Airframe
Modular airframe built for distributed CNC production
Design and Launch Notes

The AQ-400 Scythe design emphasizes rapid production, simple field handling, and autonomous navigation under jamming rather than a reusable airframe.

FeatureDocumented detailSource context
Production approachTerminal Autonomy describes a modular airframe and distributed CNC manufacturing intended to reduce specialized tooling and labor needs.AQ 400 SCYTHE
Launch optionsReporting describes short-runway and catapult launch options, with later manufacturer material also describing stacked booster-based launch.One Way Aerospace AQ 400 Scythe; Ukraine's Scythe Drone Is All About Striking Far Away As Cheaply As Possible; AQ 400 SCYTHE
NavigationThe manufacturer describes visual and terrain-data aided autonomous guidance with AI assistance and no requirement for GPS or communication links during the mission.AQ 400 SCYTHE
Payload reportingCurrent manufacturer data lists a 43 kg payload, while reporting also describes thermobaric and 122 mm artillery-round payload options.AQ 400 SCYTHE; Ukraine's Scythe Drone Is All About Striking Far Away As Cheaply As Possible
Carried Munitions

TWZ reports that the AQ-400 Scythe can carry either a thermobaric warhead or a pair of 122 mm artillery rounds as a standard payload.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
122 mm artillery round, 122 mm artillery ammunition, Munitions122 mm artillery roundArtillery round payload

The AQ-400 Scythe has been reported with a standard payload of a pair of 122 mm artillery rounds.

Sources: Ukraine's Scythe Drone Is All About Striking Far Away As Cheaply As Possible

Thermobaric warhead, Thermobaric payload, MunitionsThermobaric warheadThermobaric payload

TWZ reports that a standard payload for the AQ-400 Scythe can be a thermobaric warhead.

Sources: Ukraine's Scythe Drone Is All About Striking Far Away As Cheaply As Possible

The AQ-400 Scythe has been described with standard payload options that include a thermobaric warhead and a pair of 122 mm artillery rounds.

Sources: Ukraine's Scythe Drone Is All About Striking Far Away As Cheaply As Possible

Timeline

AQ-400 Scythe Key Events

  1. NATO demonstration plans reported

    C4ISRNet reported that One Way Aerospace planned to demonstrate Ukrainian-built one-way attack drones to NATO representatives, including the larger AQ-400 design.

    Sources: One Way Aerospace to demo Ukraine-made kamikaze drones to NATO

  2. AQ-400 product description published

    sUAS News published a manufacturer-supplied AQ-400 Scythe description covering the Ukrainian design context, launch options, and long-range one-way strike role.

    Sources: One Way Aerospace AQ 400 Scythe

  3. Delivery to Ukrainian forces reported

    Ukrainian defense reporting said the military had received AQ-400 Scythe long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, with the producer describing plans to scale monthly production.

    Sources: The Ukrainian military received AQ 400 Scythe long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, Ukraine Starts Mass Production of 750 km Range Kamikaze Drones

Media

AQ-400 Scythe Videos

AQ-400 Scythe Images

AQ-400 Scythe, Long-range one-way strike UAV, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: AQ 400 SCYTHE
AQ-400 Scythe, Long-range one-way strike UAV, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: AQ 400 SCYTHE
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Sources

AQ 400 SCYTHEPublisher: Terminal Autonomy | Note: Manufacturer page for current system description, navigation claims, technical specifications, and manufacturer-hosted imagery. | Accessed: 2026-06-30The Ukrainian military received AQ 400 Scythe long-range unmanned aerial vehiclesPublisher: Militarnyi | Note: Documents AQ-400 Scythe drones delivered to the Ukrainian military for 2014 Russia-Ukraine War use. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Ukraine Starts Mass Production of 750 km Range Kamikaze DronesPublisher: Euromaidan Press | Note: Documents 2014 Russia-Ukraine War delivery context for AQ-400 Scythe drones and reported production-scaling plans for Ukrainian forces. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Ukraine's Scythe Drone Is All About Striking Far Away As Cheaply As PossiblePublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports conflict-use context, reported Ukrainian delivery, launch methods, payload reporting, production ambitions, and cost estimates. | Accessed: 2026-06-30One Way Aerospace AQ 400 ScythePublisher: sUAS News | Note: Earlier manufacturer-supplied product description covering Ukrainian design/build context, role, launch methods, and baseline specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-30One Way Aerospace to demo Ukraine-made kamikaze drones to NATOPublisher: C4ISRNet | Note: Supports early AQ-400 development and demonstration context, including the larger Ukrainian one-way drone design and reported launch/payload details. | Accessed: 2026-06-30