The AFU’s long-range Bars jet-powered drone has received another major upgrade, extending its flight range and allowing it to carry a much heavier warhead. According to Ukrainian resources, the latest version can travel up to 1,000 kilometers and carry a warhead weighing as much as 60 kilograms.

The previous configuration was limited to a range of 700 kilometers and a 22.5-kilogram warhead. The drone’s flight speed exceeds 700 kilometers per hour.

Bars is built around a modular design that allows its configuration to be adjusted for different missions. Fuel capacity and payload weight can be rebalanced depending on the required range and strike profile. This makes it possible to use the drone both for attacks over relatively short distances and for strikes against targets deep in the rear, Voyennoye Obozreniye reports.

Since the first baseline version appeared, the Bars design has gone through more than 40 stages of modernization and refinement.

The upgrades have also affected the drone’s software. Its control system now incorporates artificial intelligence tools. During the final stage of flight, the operator can either retain manual control or hand guidance over to an optical terminal guidance system.

Bars is launched from a ground-based launcher with the help of small solid-fuel boosters that provide its initial acceleration.