Summary

  • Boeing and Antonov explore collaboration on defense projects, focusing on training and support for Ukraine’s UAV operations.
  • Agreement showcases Boeing’s commitment to work with Ukrainian defense industry.
  • Antonov shifts focus to drones after Russian military strikes limit aircraft manufacturing capacity.

Boeing and Ukrainian manufacturer Antonov have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on defense-related projects. The two companies penned the agreement today at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA 2024), with possible areas of collaboration to include training and technical support for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Boeing and Antonov announce defense collaboration

At this early stage, the agreement will see both companies “explore opportunities” to collaborate on training, logistics and maintenance support for Ukraine’s UAVs, which have proven a key asset during the country’s ongoing conflict with Russia. Additionally, it opens the possibility of Antonov providing engineering support to Boeing.

boeing antonov

Photo: Boeing

Ted Colbert, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, commented,

“This agreement demonstrates our ongoing efforts to find more opportunities to work with Ukrainian industry, which was underscored by our signing of the Ukrainian Defense Industry Compact earlier this year.”

Ukraine’s armed forces utilize the Boeing Insitu ScanEagle UAV for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. In fact, drones are so important to Ukrainian operations that the country became the first in the world to establish a dedicated military branch for UAVs – the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF).

As reported by Breaking Defense, Antonov CEO Ievhen Gavrylov said the agreement paves the way for “future projects with Boeing in the aerospace and defense industry” while enabling both companies to implement the latest solutions. The two companies have worked together before when Boeing agreed to deliver aircraft parts to Antonov in 2018.

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Boeing is not the only US-based firm to establish partnerships in Ukraine – earlier this year, defense contractor Northrop Grumman also committed to producing artillery ammunition as part of a deal with Ukrainian arms company Ukroboronprom.

Antonov’s changing priorities

Ukrainian manufacturer Antonov is best known for its giant An-225 Mirya, which was the largest cargo aircraft in the world until its destruction in 2022. Its An-124 cargo plane has been much more successful from a commercial perspective, with Antonov producing over 50 airframes – the An-124 remains the largest in-service cargo aircraft and is used to transport a wide array of outsized cargo, including battle tanks and helicopters.

Antonov An-225 Landing In Zurich

Photo: Mike Fuchslocher | Shutterstock

However, its capacity to manufacture aircraft has been severely limited by Russian military strikes, forcing the company to switch its focus to drones.

Related

Largest Production Freighter Ever Built: The Story Of The Antonov An-124

The aircraft still offers unparalleled airlift capabilities.

About the ScanEagle

The ScanEagle reconnaissance drone was developed by Insitu, a wholly-owned Boeing subsidiary specializing in unmanned aerial systems. Fitted with a wide range of surveillance systems and boasting up to 18 hours of endurance, the ScanEagle can be launched independent of runways to maximize its operational versatility.

insitu scaneagle

Photo: Insitu

Category

Specification

SIZE AND WEIGHT

Max takeoff weight

58 lb / 26.5 kg

Max payload weight

11 lb / 5 kg

Length

5.6 ft / 1.71 m

Wingspan

10.2 ft / 3.1 m

SENSOR AND DATA OPTIONS

Turret

EO, EO950 (EO camera and EO telescope), MWIR, Dual Imager (EO and MWIR)

Video Datalink

Analog, digital encrypted

C2 Datalink

Encrypted, unencrypted

PERFORMANCE

Endurance

18 hours

Service Ceiling

19,500 ft / 5,950 m

Max horizontal speed

80 knots / 41.2 m/s

Engine

Heavy fuel (JP-5 or JP-8) or C-10 gasoline engine

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