Spectra design bureau is pursuing an aircraft style drone built from recycled materials using a 3D printer in the special military operation zone. Andrey Bratenkov, the general director of Spectra, spoke to TASS about the project. The plan centers on a bodyless flying platform with a range of up to 30 kilometers, with assembly already underway. December is the target month for flight trials, and the glider is intended to be produced on an industrial printer with a one by one meter footprint so it can be integrated into standard passenger vehicles without special adaptations.
To cut production costs, the team is opting for recycled materials. The drone will be printed from plastic scraps and plastic pellets, allowing for a resourceful approach to manufacturing that relies on readily available materials rather than novel composites.
The envisioned drone can carry a payload of 10 kilograms. Bratenkov stressed that the device will be built largely from domestically produced components, highlighting a focus on local supply chains and independent capabilities. The emphasis on low overall cost sets this project apart from many similar efforts and could influence future pricing in the regional unmanned aircraft market.
Spectr design bureau operates from Novosibirsk and is known for developing and producing robotic platforms as well as unmanned aerial vehicles tailored for the Northern Military District. The ongoing program reflects a broader push to advance autonomous and remotely piloted systems that can operate in challenging environments and limited infrastructure, while emphasizing efficiency and locally sourced materials.
Earlier reports mentioned the use of a kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle known as Lancet in operations within the special military operation zone, where strikes have been described from concealment. This reference underscores a wider military context in which lightweight, cost-effective drones are increasingly studied for rapid deployment and tactical versatility in contested zones.
There has also been commentary from Ukrainian military leadership noting a perceived advantage for the Russian side in the deployment of FPV drones, a factor that has spurred ongoing development in lightweight, agile unmanned systems across the region. The current Spectra initiative aligns with that broader trend toward accessible, adaptable air platforms that can be produced with domestic inputs and simpler manufacturing processes, potentially reshaping how unmanned assets are integrated into future operations.