Aircraft & UAVs

Vector

Also known as
  • Quantum Systems Vector
  • Vector AI
  • Vector UAS
  • Vector UAV
  • Vector sUAS

Vector is a German Quantum Systems electric VTOL fixed-wing small UAV built for mid-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. In Ukrainian service it gives front-line units a quiet aircraft that can launch without a runway, stream encrypted EO/IR video, and operate as part of Germany-funded wartime drone deliveries.

Vector, Electric VTOL fixed-wing reconnaissance UAV, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: UA Quantum Vector 02.jpg

Role in Conflicts

Distinctive Features

Quantum Systems frames Vector as a combat-proven ISR drone whose fixed-wing and multicopter modes share the same core avionics, controller, data link, sensors, and AI package.

FeatureSource-backed detailWhy it matters
2-in-1 airframeThe same system can be reconfigured between fixed-wing and multicopter use without changing the avionics stack or operator workflow.Crews can trade endurance for handling from one platform.
Launch and recovery flexibilityQuantum Systems says Vector can launch from a moving boat or vehicle, land on a moving platform, and be hand-catchable.This makes the UAV useful in austere or confined launch areas.
Battlefield feedback loopThe company says Ukrainian battlefield use drove upgrades, including improved endurance and better GNSS-denied performance.It is a program that was iterated from operational use rather than left static after initial fielding.

The company’s own pages describe Vector as a mid-range reconnaissance system with thousands of mission hours in Ukrainian service.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Germany
Type
Electric VTOL fixed-wing reconnaissance UAV
Service note
Introduced before the 2022 full-scale invasion; upgraded Vector AI variant fielded during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War
Designer
Quantum Systems
Designed
Before 2022; Vector AI unveiled as an upgraded variant in 2025
Unit cost
Not publicly disclosed
Produced
2020s
Number built
Not publicly disclosed

Specifications

Configuration
Electric VTOL fixed-wing sUAS; 2-in-1 architecture can be reconfigured as a multicopter
Wingspan
2.8 m in fixed-wing configuration
Maximum takeoff weight
9.5 kg for Vector AI fixed-wing configuration
Endurance
180+ minutes in fixed-wing configuration
Data link range
60+ km for Vector AI fixed-wing configuration
Sensors
Gimbaled EO/IR sensor options with onboard AI processing
Variants

Quantum Systems presents Vector AI as the current fixed-wing ISR configuration, with the same core system reconfigurable into a multicopter mode marketed as Scorpion.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
ScorpionMulticopter configuration

The multicopter configuration uses the same avionics, controller, sensors, and data link, trading fixed-wing endurance for vertical handling in confined launch and recovery areas.

Sources: Vector AI

Timeline

Vector Key Events

  1. Ukraine orders early Vector systems

    Quantum Systems says Ukraine ordered 33 Vector drones on 1 August 2022, with some already in use and the rest pending training and handover.

    Sources: Long-Endurance Reconnaissance Drones from German Manufacturer Quantum-Systems in Operation in Ukraine

  2. Second Ukrainian Vector order announced

    Quantum Systems announced a second Ukrainian order for 105 more Vector systems and said the drone had been extensively used and intensively tested on the Ukrainian battlefield.

    Sources: Second Vector Delivery to Ukraine

  3. Third Vector order expands the fleet

    Quantum Systems said Ukraine placed a third order for 300 Vector drones, continuing the company’s wartime delivery pattern to Ukrainian forces.

    Sources: Third Vector Order from Ukraine

  4. Ukrainian production plan announced

    Quantum Systems said it would produce 400 Vector reconnaissance drones in Ukraine under a German Ministry of Defence commission.

    Sources: 400 Vector Reconnaissance Drones in Ukraine

  5. German aid list shows delivered Vector fleet

    The German Federal Government listed 619 delivered VECTOR reconnaissance drones with spare parts and another 316 VECTOR reconnaissance drones in planning or execution.

    Sources: German Federal Government Military Support for Ukraine

  6. Army of Drones award recognizes Vector

    Quantum Systems said Vector placed third in the ISR category at Ukraine's Army of Drones 2025 award ceremony after years of frontline service.

    Sources: Army of Drones 2025 Award for Vector

Ukraine Delivery Context

Vector’s Ukrainian service is documented by manufacturer order announcements, Germany’s public military-aid list, and later production planning inside Ukraine.

Evidence laneDocumented detailCatalog significance
Early wartime ordersQuantum Systems announced Ukrainian Vector orders in 2022 and 2023, including a third order for 300 systems.Shows direct wartime demand before larger public delivery counts appeared.
German aid listGermany listed 619 delivered VECTOR reconnaissance drones and 316 more in planning or execution as of 17 April 2025.Gives an official government count for the scale of Ukraine-linked deliveries.
Local productionQuantum Systems announced a German Ministry of Defence commission to produce 400 Vector reconnaissance drones in Ukraine.Connects the system to sustainment and production closer to the operating theater.
Media

Vector Videos

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Aeronautics Orbiter 2, Mini unmanned aerial system, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAeronautics Orbiter 2Mini unmanned aerial systemThe Aeronautics Orbiter 2 is an Israeli fixed-wing mini-UAS for tactical ISR, target acquisition, surveillance, and payload-flexible mission support. Current Aeronautics material presents the Orbiter 2 ISR as a 13 kg, catapult-launched system with EO/IR, electronic-intelligence, communications-intelligence, electronic-warfare, video-processing, and jammer payload options, while Azerbaijan assembled Orbiter-family UAVs through Azad Systems and fielded Orbiter-2 reconnaissance drones in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

Sources

Vector AIPublisher: Quantum Systems | Note: Official product page supporting manufacturer background, Vector AI role, configuration, sensor options, and specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Long-Endurance Reconnaissance Drones from German Manufacturer Quantum-Systems in Operation in UkrainePublisher: Quantum Systems | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use: Vector reconnaissance drones were used by Ukrainian forces after an order and delivery process for Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Second Vector Delivery to UkrainePublisher: Quantum Systems Inc. | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use: additional Vector systems were delivered to Ukraine and used by Ukrainian forces for battlefield ISR. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Third Vector Order from UkrainePublisher: Quantum Systems | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use: Vector systems were ordered by Ukraine and used by Ukrainian forces for battlefield ISR. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Ukrainian MoD Orders More Vector UAVs from Quantum SystemsPublisher: European Security & Defence | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use: Vector UAVs were ordered by Ukraine and supplied to Ukrainian forces; also supports older specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-30German Federal Government Military Support for UkrainePublisher: Federal Government of Germany | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use: Germany listed VECTOR reconnaissance drones delivered to Ukraine and additional VECTOR systems in planning or execution. | Accessed: 2026-06-30400 Vector Reconnaissance Drones in UkrainePublisher: Quantum Systems | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use and background: Vector reconnaissance drone production in Ukraine was announced under a German Ministry of Defence commission. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Army of Drones 2025 Award for VectorPublisher: Quantum Systems | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct use: Vector systems were procured by Ukrainian frontline units and used by Ukrainian crews and operators for active-service ISR in Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-06-30UA Quantum Vector 02.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the Vector gallery image; Wikimedia Commons lists the ArmyInform image as CC BY 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-30