The UJ-22 Airborne is a Ukrainian UkrJet fixed-wing unmanned aircraft system that bridges reconnaissance, payload carriage, and long-range strike adaptation. Manufacturer material describes a reusable UAS with interchangeable payloads, a ground-control station, tracking antenna, autonomous flight planning, and a 20 kg payload limit; wartime reporting links identified UJ-22 airframes to Ukrainian deep-strike attempts and Russian claims of air-defense engagements during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.
Open-source reporting identifies UJ-22 Airborne drones in Ukrainian wartime service after Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion, including a Russian March 2022 claim that Pantsir destroyed an armed UJ-22 in Ukraine and February 2023 reports of an identified UJ-22 crashing near a Moscow-region gas compressor station.
Role detailsThe UJ-22 is described as a reusable unmanned aircraft complex rather than only a one-way attack drone. Its public configuration combines an interchangeable-payload air vehicle, a ground-control station, a tracking antenna, transport boxes, spares, and mission-planning software.
GlobalSecurity describes automatic, semi-automatic, and manual control through encrypted microwave and UHF data channels.
Reported loadouts include 82 mm mortar mines or RPG-7VM grenades, while the same payload bay can support camera or electro-optical equipment.
UkrJet lists all-weather operation, a 100 km controlled radius, 800 km autonomous range, 7-hour endurance, and a 20 kg payload limit.
Public descriptions treat the UJ-22 as an interchangeable-payload UAS. Strike-loadout reporting names mortar and RPG-derived munitions rather than a single bespoke aerial bomb.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Drone-dropped mortar ammunition | GlobalSecurity.org describes the UJ-22 strike version as able to carry four 82 mm mortar mines, with later reporting also treating 82 mm rounds as a representative UJ-22 payload. Sources: GlobalSecurity UJ-22 Airborne, ABC News UJ-22 Kremlin Strike Analysis |
 | Adapted RPG-family payload | GlobalSecurity.org identifies six RPG-7VM grenades as a reported UJ-22 strike loadout, while ABC News described RPG-7 grenades as part of the UJ-22's possible payload set. Sources: GlobalSecurity UJ-22 Airborne, ABC News UJ-22 Kremlin Strike Analysis |
UkrJet says it presented the UJ-22 Airborne, UJ-23 Topaz, UJ-31 Zlyva, and UJ-32 Lastivka at the Kyiv Weapons and Security 2021 exhibition, highlighting the UJ-22's 20 kg payload carriage over long distances.
Sources: UkrJet official site
GlobalSecurity.org reports a Russian Defense Ministry claim that a Pantsir missile-gun system destroyed a Ukrainian UJ-22 carrying an aerial bomb and 82 mm mines.
Sources: GlobalSecurity UJ-22 Airborne
Guardian, TWZ, and Aviation Safety Network reporting described a Ukrainian-made UJ-22 or identified UJ-22 wreck near Gubastovo in Moscow Oblast, close to a Gazprom gas compressor station, while noting that Ukraine did not claim responsibility.
Sources: Guardian Moscow Gas Facility Drone, TWZ Ukrainian Drone Near Moscow, Aviation Safety Network UJ-22 Accident
El Pais reported that Russian media identified UJ-22s among drones launched in a Moscow attack wave and summarized the type's 20 kg payload, low-altitude flight, 160 km/h maximum speed, and 800 km autonomous range.
Sources: El Pais Light Drones Striking Moscow
