On April 29, NVP “Athlon Avia” officially handed over a mock-up of one of the first A1-SM “Furia” reconnaissance UAVs to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, located beneath the Motherland Monument. The event marks the drone’s already historical role as one of the first technological solutions that changed the principles of artillery reconnaissance and artillery operations on the front.
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“Furia” will become part of the future “Museum of Modern Military Technologies” exhibition, which will showcase equipment currently used by the Defense Forces of Ukraine. As part of the event, Athlon Avia co-founder Artem V’iunnyk and the museum’s Director General Yurii Savchuk signed a memorandum of cooperation, laying the foundation for a long-term partnership.
“Support from ‘Athlon Avia’ is much more than assistance with equipment or resources. You supported the idea and our shared ambition for development. This support marks a new stage for the museum and at the same time lays the foundation for further strategic cooperation. We have already begun implementing the ‘Museum of Modern Military Technologies’ project, and thanks to this, we will be able to tell a broader and deeper story about the latest Ukrainian weapons, the defenders who use them, and the manufacturers who have reached such a level under challenging conditions,” emphasizes Yurii Savchuk."
The A1-SM “Furia” UAV is one of the first Ukrainian reconnaissance systems, currently used by more than a hundred units.
“When we entered the artillery field, there was virtually no aerial reconnaissance. Together with the military, we developed the rules. For example, a section titled ‘adjusting artillery fire using an unmanned aerial vehicle’ was added to the artillery manual. We developed the procedures for both their use and operation,” recalls Artem V’iunnyk."
In 2014, “Furia” effectively brought together aircraft modeling and real warfare — and became a precision tool for artillery.
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Combat pilots also joined the event and shared their firsthand experience of the important role of UAV systems on the front.
“‘Furia’ is not just a UAV, it is the eyes of the artillery. It is hundreds of lives of our infantry saved. It has become a true workhorse of the war. Thanks to such wings, modern warfare has become a war of technologies. And thanks to them, we destroy the enemy,” says Valentyn “Balu,” UAV unit commander of the 43rd Mechanized Brigade, who has logged more than 3,000 flight hours without losing a UAV."
“Furia is a legendary aircraft for me. It provided the foundation, knowledge, and experience. That’s why it definitely belongs in the museum,” adds Yurii “Ispanets,” UAV crew commander of the 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade “Black Forest”."
Participation in the event also included veteran Taras “Sheriff” Vynarchyk, who after being wounded joined “Athlon Avia”:
“Honestly, for a service member, there is no greater joy than seeing the result of your work — it gives you the strength and desire to keep moving forward. After being wounded, a fellow soldier invited me to join ‘Athlon Avia’, where I now work in technical support. Essentially, I continue my mission of defense — now on the manufacturer’s side: I’m constantly in touch with pilots and receive videos of their work, where they carry out missions and destroy the enemy.”
A dedicated space for the new “Museum of Modern Military Technologies” exhibition will be created in the main building beneath the “Motherland-Mother” monument — in a location that has not previously been used for exhibition projects.
“There will be simulators, interactive elements, and light and sound effects. It should be a space that speaks the language of modern technologies,” notes Yurii Savchuk."
The team is currently working on the exhibition design project.
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Being part of the “Museum of Modern Military Technologies” exhibition is a great honor for “Athlon Avia” as one of the first Ukrainian UAV manufacturers. The team is not standing aside but continues to work together with the military — and “Furia” rightfully takes its place in this history.
