New setup turns Ukrainian drone operators into squadron commanders

Small drones dominate and cause conflict in Ukraine approximately 80% of battlefield casualties. A new system of Sinus technique and already successfully used in combat, the power of drones multiplies by allowing one operator to control several at once and hit targets in quick succession.

The technology, known as Pasika (“Apiary”), includes communication, navigation and autonomy. It is optimized for low-cost, applicable FPV drones, interceptors and others that are deployed quickly and in volume, and is already integrated into many different models. Not only does it increase attacks, but it also makes it possible to automate resupply and mine laying, turning the individual drone operator into a squadron commander overseeing operations.

“Our goal with Pasika is simple: to give human operators a multiplier effect, allowing one crew to manage many platforms efficiently and safely, even in complex or gridlocked environments,” said Andriy Chulyk, co-founder of Sine.

Keeping people under control

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

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

“We often use the term ‘operator-scale deployment,’ which means that technology extends human capabilities, but does not replace them,” Zvirko adds.

Pasika relieves the burden on the drone operator so that he or she can concentrate on the higher 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, which often requires months of training and constant focus under pressure. With Pasika, one operator can prepare, launch and control multiple drones using a single interface.”

Pasika allows the operator to pre-assign mission zones, select a spot on the map and launch drones together or sequentially so that they fly to their assigned areas, with deconfliction so that they do not get in each other’s way. The operator can switch between controlling and viewing the video feed of each of the drones in the group, identifying and choosing targets for them to attack.

“Pasika has demonstrated three to five times greater operational efficiency compared to traditional FPV workflows,” says Zvirko. “It doesn’t automate the battles; 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 are specially designed to operate in the harsh frontline disruption conditions.

Sine is also developing their own electronic warfare systems, and the team says that understanding both offense and defense has allowed them to understand both sides, designing communications protocols that function even under severe disruptions.

The Sine.Link modules ensure encrypted data transfer and also support a non-GPS navigation system. For navigation, instead of relying on the weak signals from distant satellites, which can be easily disturbed, the system provides uses the signal from the nearby Sine. Links.

“It is not accurate to the centimeter, but it does provide operational continuity,” says Chulyk. “Drones can maintain control, orientation and stability when GPS freezes or is spoofed.”

This combination ensures that the Pasika-controlled drones can continue to navigate and communicate when others stop working.

Attack, intercept, scout and deliver

For strike missions, Pasika FPVs can be equipped with terminal guidance systems produced by third parties. This allows the operator to identify and track a target, after which the guidance system steers the drone towards final impact.

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

In addition to ground targets, Pasika is also used to control terminal guided interceptors, FPVs that shoot down Russian Shaheds and other drones. This setup allows one operator to cover a large area and quickly intercept multiple attackers using low-cost interceptors such as Wild Hornets’ Sting.

Pasika automation also enables covert reconnaissance missions, in which a drone is sent on a pre-programmed course. The drone is radio silent and no operator signal can be detected.

Drones have become essential for delivering supplies to the front lines. The heavy-duty Vampire multicopter from Ukraine can carry up to 15 kilos and keeps units supplied when road travel is too dangerous. Pasika allows drone operators to send drones to make automated drops, where multiple drones perform consecutive missions, controlled by a single console.

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

In the future, this technology could be integrated with ‘drone-in-a-box solutions in which drones operate from unmanned base stations and charge themselves without on-site personnel, or HellHives with hundreds or thousands of FPVs pre-positioned on the front lines.

After the war, this technology could be adapted for commercial use, delivering medical supplies or other urgent needs. But for now, Sine is focusing on military applications.

Roll out at scale

The creators say Pasika has delivered higher mission success rates. Operators report that their work is easier, safer and faster, especially on repetitive and stressful missions such as bombing and deliveries. Security concerns prevent Sine from making feedback directly public, but the results seem very satisfactory.

“The system has proven combat credibility across multiple mission types,” Chulyk said.

To date, more than 100 Ukrainian drone manufacturers have integrated Sine modules or Pasika functions into their platforms, and hundreds of military units are already deploying Sine systems in combat environments.

The next challenge is to roll out Pasika on a large scale.

“Scale depends on training cycles and production capacity,” says Zvirko. “The next scaling phase – during 2026 – will focus on broader integration with industrial partners and a gradual rollout to allied defense users.”

Although current users use 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 bigger picture 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. “Large-scale deployments will evolve alongside new communications standards and interoperability frameworks within NATO-compatible systems.”

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