Development and progress of the Motylek cargo UAV
The first version of the Moth UAV, 2024.
Two years ago, the Russian company Sovelmash unveiled the "Motylek," a multi-purpose heavy-duty unmanned aerial vehicle. Testing and design refinement then began, and later, a major upgrade was carried out, primarily affecting the frame and overall layout.
The development process
The Zelenograd-based company Sovelmash develops and manufactures electric motors and drives for various purposes. By 2023, it has decided to test its skills in unmanned aerial vehicles. aviation, relying on electric motors of our own design.
The first public reports about the project, dubbed "Motylek," were released in the spring of 2024. By that time, Sovelmash had completed the main design work and begun assembling the first components. By mid-summer, the first prototype UAV was built and ready for testing.
Ground testing began shortly thereafter. At the end of August, the company published a video of the dynamometer test: UAV A tethered aircraft simulated takeoff, and the rig recorded the thrust. According to the developer, the obtained characteristics matched the calculations.
The modified drone frame, January 2025.
Full-scale flight tests later began. The UAV took off, flew at various altitudes and speeds, and then returned to the ground. There were no reported serious incidents, but the design was repeatedly modified based on the tests. This is normal for a prototype, as testing is what identifies weaknesses.
At the same time, efforts were underway to improve the design. As early as 2024, a new frame design was unveiled, including modified mounting arrangements for the propeller-motor units. The electric powertrain was developed, hybrid solutions were explored, and the electronics and software were refined.
In 2026, Sovelmash presented another frame variant, simplified and lighter. This aircraft exists as a prototype and is undergoing flight tests. According to the company, the main flight characteristics have been confirmed, and the ability to sling and carry cargo has been demonstrated.
Despite the progress made, the Motylek remains at the experimental stage. Sovelmash is preparing production facilities and planning serial production, but no start date has been announced.
An experimental UAV with propeller-motor groups and batteries located in common frames
In different versions
The Motylek project is developing a heavy-duty, multi-purpose unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to carry various instruments or deliver payloads to targets. While the general design principles remain the same, the aircraft's design has undergone significant changes from version to version, primarily in the frame.
In all versions, the Motylek is a large electric-powered quadcopter. All components are mounted on a complex frame constructed from metal pipes and profiles. Initially, it had a rectangular plan with four corner beams and integrated ski landing gear. Two square frame variants were subsequently developed, with the propeller and engine assemblies located beyond the corners; in one of these, the electric motors and batteries were mounted in rectangular box-shaped frames.
The current version features a frame with an octagonal central unit. The main equipment is housed inside, with load-bearing mounts underneath, and the four arms are equipped with engines and propellers. According to the developer, this design combines light weight with the required strength.
The latest frame option at the moment
The aircraft's diameter is several meters. According to the developer, its maximum takeoff weight is 600 kg, of which up to half (approximately 300 kg) can be payload. However, even this 300 kg remains the maximum under favorable conditions. In actual flight, the available weight will decrease, as it depends on the flight mode, battery charge, and weather.
All modifications use Sovelmash's own electric motors. According to the company, these are asynchronous motors manufactured using combined winding technology, each rated at 60 kW. Various propeller types, including two-, three-, and six-bladed, have been used at various times. Based on bench tests, each propeller-motor combination provides a static thrust of at least 150 kgf, which, according to the company's calculations, is sufficient for takeoff and flight in basic modes.
A technical caveat is needed here. The stated thrust should be taken with caution:
- 150 kgf at 60 kW is a plausible value for a large propeller, but the diameter, pitch, speed and test conditions are not given in open materials;
- With a weight of 600 kg and a total thrust of about 600 kgf (4×150), the thrust-to-weight ratio is close to 1,0. This is the limit of the hover mode, without a reserve for maneuvering and for unfavorable conditions such as battery discharge, altitude, and heat;
- It's likely that 150 kgf is the lower guaranteed estimate, and the actual thrust is higher. Or the mass and thrust figures refer to different configurations.
Without independent test reports, the thrust-weight balance should not be taken as a hard fact.
The UAV is equipped with several high-capacity batteries. A hybrid system based on a gasoline engine and generator was also considered, allowing the batteries to be recharged both in flight and during short landings.
The stated flight characteristics are as follows:
- maximum speed - 100 km / h;
- cruising speed - 50–60 km/h;
- range with load - not less than 50 km.
Flight tests of the Moth. In case of an emergency, the operator uses protective equipment.
The Motylek is controlled remotely. A video camera and control equipment are installed onboard; commands and video signals are transmitted via radio. Fiber-optic communication is also being developed to ensure immunity to interference. The onboard electronics currently use imported and domestic components, but a transition to Russian-made components is underway.
The device is designed to transport large and heavy cargo, such as provisions, medicine, and technical equipment. Combat use is also being considered: at exhibitions, the Motylek was displayed with a mockup of a 250 kg bomb. However, this was a demonstration model, not a fully operational combat-integrated one. The payload can be jettisoned in flight or removed after landing.
Progress and Limitations
The project continues to evolve: the design is being refined, individual components are being finalized, and production of components and the UAV itself is being prepared. The only questionable issue is the timeframe, as more than two years have passed since the initial announcement, and there is still no production. This is partly understandable: the project is complex, and the developer has no relevant experience in unmanned aircraft.
But it's not just a matter of deadlines. A heavy-duty electric drone also has objective technical limitations:
- a range of approximately 50 km with a payload—this is the local transport range. It ties the device to short routes and points for recharging or replacing batteries;
- Batteries remain the main limiting factor. The heavier the load, the more flight time and maneuver margins decrease;
- the thrust-to-weight ratio is close to the minimum acceptable (see the disclaimer above), therefore the actual figures depend heavily on the mode and conditions;
- when controlled via radio channel, the device is vulnerable to attacks EWFiber optics improve stability, but limit the range of applicable scenarios, as the device is tied to the length of the fiber optic coil and loses freedom of maneuver over long distances.
A copter like this won't replace an airplane or helicopter, nor should it. Its strength lies elsewhere: delivering a large load over a short distance.
Electric motor controller
Hence the likely niche of the serial Moth: short-haul cargo delivery and operation in hard-to-reach areas. For the military, this includes resupplying strongholds and remote facilities, transporting equipment (radars, repeaters, sensors), evacuating and delivering supplies, as well as relaying signals or airdropping cargo. For civilians, this includes resupplying remote industrial sites, operating in off-road areas, and performing emergency rescue and maintenance missions.
When comparing, it's important not to confuse classes. There are few domestically produced heavy-duty quadcopters with comparable weight and payload capacity available in open sources, so based on its stated specifications, the Motylek is one of the heaviest Russian multicopters (which includes the quadcopter design of the aircraft itself). Other large Russian UAVs are more often built using fixed-wing or hybrid (VTOL) designs and perform different tasks, making direct comparisons with them inappropriate.
More interesting than the drone itself is something else: the engines. Sovelmash has developed, tested, and is preparing for production a whole line of electric motors, controllers, and power electronics. These components are applicable not only to the Moth but also to UAVs of other types and designs, and commercially, they could have a broader market and greater potential for serial production than a niche heavy-duty drone. Even if the Moth's production run is delayed, the project is already serving as a showcase for this line.
The aircraft reportedly has significant room for improvement: possible upgrades to the powertrain, new control systems, and customer-specific adaptations are possible. If it reaches production, it will be a significant event for the industry. But for now, it's a big "if": there are no independent tests of the stated characteristics, no clear timeline.
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