Redwire Delivered Over 300 Penguin Drones to Ukraine
The fixed-wing reconnaissance platforms have been upgraded to operate at higher altitudes to evade interception.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Robotics
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Redwire has confirmed the delivery of more than 300 Penguin drones to Ukraine to support ongoing intelligence and surveillance operations. The company, which acquired original manufacturer Edge Autonomy in 2025, maintains direct supply lines and local training staff for the fleet.
Why it matters
The deployment highlights the tactical shift toward high-altitude surveillance as a primary method for evading the threat of Russian first-person view (FPV) drones. By modifying the Penguin Mk2X architecture, Redwire aims to maintain reconnaissance capability despite dense electronic warfare environments.
The Penguin Mk2X utilizes the Octopus 180, a stabilized camera system manufactured in Riga, Latvia, to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). The platform is currently being succeeded in production by the Mk3, which is under a multi-year contract with a NATO country.
The players
Redwire
A space and defense technology company that specializes in robotics, satellite systems, and unmanned aerial platforms.
Edge Autonomy
A drone manufacturer specializing in fixed-wing surveillance platforms that was acquired by Redwire in 2025.
The details
The Penguin is a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle—a robotic aircraft that uses rigid wings to generate lift—designed for long-endurance intelligence gathering. Redwire engineers the platform in Riga, Latvia, where they also operate a flight team to train Ukrainian personnel. The recent hardware upgrades focus on increasing operational altitude to minimize the risk posed by low-flying Russian FPV drones—small, low-cost aerial vehicles piloted from a ground station using a video feed.
Timeline
2022: Initial Penguin drones were first sent to Ukraine.
2025: Redwire acquired drone manufacturer Edge Autonomy.
September 12, 2026: A Redwire executive discussed Russian electronic warfare tactics.
September 28, 2026: The total delivery count of 300 drones was reported.
The Tech Race
Redwire’s shift to the Penguin Mk3 suggests an effort to standardize reconnaissance hardware against the requirements of the NATO standard for tactical drone interoperability. This trajectory prioritizes operational versatility in contested environments over the specialized configurations seen in earlier drone generations.
Ukrainian operators are utilizing these units for ongoing intelligence gathering, with training provided by Redwire’s specialized flight teams. The systems require maintenance infrastructure that the company currently supports through a dedicated office and local staff in the region.
The takeaway
The transition to the Penguin Mk3 marks a strategic pivot toward winter-hardened reconnaissance platforms designed to counter modern electronic warfare. Watch for upcoming performance data from the Mk3 deployment as the company seeks to scale its multi-year NATO contract agreements.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in aerial systems, visit our Robotics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Defence Blog.
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