New Setup Turns Ukrainian Drone Operators Into Squadron Commanders

Small drones dominate the conflict in Ukraine, causing around 80% of battlefield casualties. A new system from Sine Engineering and already deployed successfully in combat multiplies the power of drones by allowing one operator to control several at a time, hitting targets in quick succession.

The technology, known as Pasika (“Apiary”), includes communications, navigation and autonomy. It is optimized for low-cost, attritable FPV drones, interceptors, and others deployed rapidly and in volume, and has already been integrated into many different models. As well as enhancing strikes, it allows supply delivery and minelaying to be automated, turning the individual drone operator into a squadron commander overseeing operations.

“Our goal with Pasika is simple: to give human operators a multiplier effect, making one crew capable of managing many platforms efficiently and safely, even in complex or jammed environments,” Sine co-founder Andriy Chulyk told me.

Keeping Humans In Control

Chulyk and fellow co-founder Andriy Zvirko are quick to point out that this is not an autonomous swarm, nor an AI controller.

“It’s a human-centered coordination layer designed to make multi-drone missions more practical and scalable in real conditions,” says Chulyk.

“We often use the term ‘operator-scaled deployment,’ meaning that technology extends human capability, but doesn’t replace it,” adds Zvirko.

Pasika takes workload off the drone operator so they can concentrate on the higher-level aspects of the mission. The makers compare it to a cheat code in a video game to provide extra ammunition.

“In a conventional FPV mission, each drone needs a dedicated pilot,” says Chulyk . “Every maneuver — takeoff, flight path, engagement — must be performed manually, often requiring months of training and constant focus under pressure. With Pasika, one operator can prepare, launch, and supervise multiple drones using a single interface.”

Pasika allows the operator to assign mission zones in advance, selecting a spot on the map and launching drones together or sequentially so they fly to their assigned areas, with deconfliction to they do not get in each other’s way. The operator can switch between controlling and seeing the video feed from any of the drones in the group, identifying and picking targets for them to attack.

“Pasika has shown a three-to-five times increase in operational efficiency compared to traditional FPV workflows,” says Zvirko. “It doesn’t automate combat; it optimizes the human role within a networked drone operation.”

Automation, Navigation And Communication

Automation software is one of the cornerstones of Pasika, but there are two other crucial elements: communication and navigation, both based on small Sine.Link modules. These portable units were designed specifically to operate in the heavy jamming conditions at the front line.

Sine also develops their own electronic warfare systems, and the team say understanding both offense and defense has allowed them to understand both sides, helping design communication protocols which function even under severe jamming.

The Sine.Link modules provide encrypted data transmission and also support a non-GPS navigation system. For navigation, rather than relying on the faint signals from distant satellites which are easily jammed, the system uses the signal from nearby Sine. Links.

“It’s not centimeter-accurate, but it ensures operational continuity,” says Chulyk . “Drones can maintain control, orientation, and stability when GPS is jammed or spoofed.”

This combination means that the drones controlled with Pasika can keep navigating and communicating when others stop working.

Attacking, Intercepting, Scouting And Delivering

For strike missions, Pasika FPVs may be equipped with terminal guidance systems produced by third parties. These allow the operator to identify and lock on to a target and the guidance system then steers the drone to final impact.

“Pasika integrates smoothly with external targeting and tracking modules via open APIs,” says Chulyk.

As well as ground targets, Pasika is being used to control terminally guided interceptors, FPVs which bring down Russian Shaheds and other drones. This setup allows one operator to cover a wide area and rapidly intercept multiple attackers using low-cost interceptors like Wild Hornets’ Sting.

Pasika automation also enables stealthy scouting missions, in which a drone is sent on a pre-programmed course. The drone is radio silent and there is no operator signal to detect.

Drones have become essential for delivering supplies to the front line. Ukraine’s heavy-lift Vampire multicopter can carry up to 15 kilos, and keeps units supplied when road travel is too dangerous. With Pasika , drone operators can send drones to make automated drops, with multiple drones carrying out consecutive missions controlled by one console.

The same setup can be used for minelaying missions, placing anti-tank mines on roads at night, or dropping bombs on previously located targets.

In the future this technology might be integrated with ‘drone-in-a-box’ solutions in which drones operate from uncrewed base stations, recharging themselves with no personnel on site, or HellHives with hundreds or thousands of FPVs pre-positioned at the front line.

After the war, this technology might be adapted for commercial use, delivering medical supplies or other urgent supplies. But for the time being Sine are focused on military applications.

Rolling Out At Scale

The makers say that Pasika has produced higher mission success rates. Operators report their work is simpler, safer, and faster, especially in repetitive and high-stress missions like bombing and deliveries. Security considerations prevent Sine from disclosing feedback directly, but the results seem highly satisfactory.

“The system has battle-proven credibility across multiple mission types,” says Chulyk .

To date, over 100 Ukrainian drone manufacturers have integrated Sine modules or Pasika features into their platforms, and hundreds of military units already deploy Sine systems in combat environments.

The next challenge is rolling out Pasika at scale.

“Scaling depends on training cycles and production capacity,” says Zvirko. “The next scaling phase — during 2026 — focuses on broader integration with industrial partners and gradual rollout to allied defense users.”

While current users are employing the setup with small numbers of drones this will grow. The makers also want to build in the ability to respond to terrain and threats on the ground as well as greater integration with both optical and radar sensors for targeting. And Pasika will gradually become part of a larger whole as it is integrated with other systems.

“We see Pasika as part of a layered autonomy ecosystem, where one operator can manage dozens of drones in synchronized missions,” says Chulyk. “Mass-scale deployment will evolve alongside new communication standards and interoperability frameworks within NATO-compatible systems.”

Drones are already used at scale in Ukraine, with two million FPVs expected to be deployed this year. Keeping them in the air currently relies on large numbers of human operators and technicians. With new systems like Pasika the ratio of drones to humans may change rapidly in the coming months and the intensity of drone warfare could increase dramatically as a result.