The Ukrainian Defense Industry has signed a cooperation agreement with U.S. technology company LeVanta Tech to jointly develop an innovative air-and-water-capable drone. The initiative will leverage LeVanta’s Halia unmanned system, unveiled in 2023, and aims to combine aerial mobility with maritime endurance for advanced reconnaissance and security applications.
Unlike conventional amphibious drones, the new system is designed to operate in rough sea states, ensuring greater adaptability during naval and littoral missions. The partnership involves joint R&D and testing efforts within Ukraine, and LeVanta Tech is reportedly exploring options to expand production capacity inside the country to support future demand and collaboration.
The hybrid drone will be a multi-purpose platform suited for operations in contested or denied environments. It will enter target areas by air, transition to the water surface for long-duration surveillance, and exit quickly upon mission completion. Its low radar visibility and high payload capacity make it ideal for ISR and communications relay tasks over extended ranges.
In aerial configuration, the system can monitor vast maritime zones before descending to inspect specific contacts. Once afloat, it enters a low-energy free-float mode, conserving power while maintaining continuous sensor and data relay functions. The project represents a significant step toward next-generation dual-domain drone capabilities for both Ukraine and its defense partners.
