12:02 29-05-2026

Russia Unveils Pepelats-20 Heavy Cargo Quadcopter

Russia has developed the Pepelats-20 heavy cargo drone, a quadcopter with a 20 kg payload for troop support, farming, monitoring and reconnaissance.

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Russia has developed the Pepelats-20, a heavy quadcopter designed to carry up to 20 kilograms of payload. Representatives of the Liptekh Research and Production Association told TASS that feedback from fighters in the special military operation zone was taken into account during the drone’s development.

The cargo drone is intended to support troops, while also being suitable for agricultural tasks. With a payload onboard, it can fly about 12–13 kilometers, according to one of the developers.

Beyond cargo delivery, the quadcopter can be used for aerial photography, monitoring and reconnaissance. It can also be fitted with specialized modules, including thermal imagers, relay systems and payload release mechanisms.

The developers said the drone’s flight controller and communications system have been localized as much as possible. The UAV also uses batteries produced by Liptekh itself.

The company added that it remains in contact with fighters in the special military operation zone and takes their requests into account when designing drones.