The Japanese defense startup JISDA has introduced a new domestic drone called the ACM-01 Shiraha.
Priced at approximately $450, the aircraft was presented on April 14 in Tokyo as a training platform. It is designed for mass use and can be quickly replaced if it is damaged during operations, according to Defence Blog on April 15.
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The drone features a wooden fuselage with a wingspan of 1.9 meters. All components and systems for the aircraft are manufactured directly in Japan.
The developers based the design on three years of studying the combat actions during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During this time, the team analyzed how quickly drones are used and the specific logistical needs of modern warfare.
The startup is offering the Shiraha as part of a package called Skill House. This program includes spare drones, repair services, and intensive training for pilots.
This approach allows military units to focus on improving the skills of their crews without the fear of losing equipment during training flights. While the base version was created for training, its design allows for the expansion of its capabilities for combat tasks.
If necessary, the drone can be equipped with hardware to improve communication or increase its flight range. Adding these components will result in a corresponding increase in the cost of each unit.
On February 20, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to deepen defense cooperation with Japan, including sharing combat-proven technologies such as sea drones and interceptor UAVs, which have been used to push Russia’s fleet away from the Black Sea and counter aerial threats.
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