Active Conflicts & News Megathread August 25, 2025

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[u/Gecktron]

Interesting report on the STARK Virtus loitering ammunition in action in Ukraine

Hartpunkt: Quantum Systems and Stark provide insight into Ukrainian hunter-killer capabilities

The video shows excerpts from an operation by Ukrainian troops in which a Vector reconnaissance drone manufactured by Quantum Systems detects a camouflaged Russian self-propelled howitzer in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is then engaged by a Virtus loitering munition manufactured by Stark. [...]

[STARK representatives didnt] wanted to disclose the exact number of systems delivered. Nevertheless, the Stark manager revealed that the company is currently setting up proportional production and development of the Virtus in Ukraine, as it considers a local footprint necessary for rapid exchange with the troops and successful cooperation. [...]

A self-propelled howitzer located in a covered position was identified. The team then independently decided to launch the Virtus loitering munition and deploy it against the target. This system was also moved to the open area under secure conditions and launched there without any additional infrastructure. Beforehand, the Virtus had to be ‘married’ to a warhead. What at first glance sounds like an unnecessary waste of time is, according to the Stark manager, more of a feature than a bug. This allows the troops to precisely adapt the warhead charge to the identified target. For example, the loitering munition is loaded with a shaped charge warhead when armoured targets need to be engaged. If, on the other hand, unprotected targets are being attacked, explosive fragmentation warheads are more suitable.

Hartpunkt was shown an Ukrainian Hunter-Killer team using Quantum Systems Vector drones and the Virtus loitering ammunition from STARK.

According to the report, Hunter-Killer teams consist of a handful of soldiers and 1-2 pick-up trucks. Once they detect a high value target with their recon drone, they independently decide to engage. For that, they pick a suitable warhead and mount it on the loitering ammunition. The Virtus then launches vertically without need for any other infrastructure.

To minimize the interference from EW, the loitering ammunition isnt directly controlled by the team. Instead its given way points and autonomously uses them to move towards the target area. For the final approach, the drone controller marks the target trough the recon drone, and the loitering ammunition engage the target autonomously.

While the video doesn't show the hit, Hartpunkt were shown videos of both the hit and the damage assessment afterwards.

Why is this interesting?

While it had been reported a few months ago that the STARK Virtus and Helsing HX-2 have been tested in Ukraine, we now finally saw them in action. Hunter-Killer teams being able to chose the most suited warhead for the situation is also interesting. We have seen quite a few examples of the wrong version of russian Lancets hitting targets without effect.

Also, worth pointing out, STARK, just like Quantum Systems, is setting up partial production and development facilities in Ukraine. To better implement feedback from Ukrainian troops.

[u/IntroductionNeat2746 → u/Gecktron]

To minimize the interference from EW, the loitering ammunition isnt directly controlled by the team. Instead its given way points and autonomously uses them to move towards the target area. For the final approach, the drone controller marks the target trough the recon drone, and the loitering ammunition engage the target autonomously.

I guesstimate that if not already being fielded in experimental stages, fully autonomous loitering munitions will be within a few months from now. It's just such a natural evolution and seems like all the pieces are already in place.

[u/Thoth_the_5th_of_Tho → u/IntroductionNeat2746]

One advancement that would be nice, is separating the munition from the software, so the same targeting software can be implemented on multiple weapons, and an improved version can be similarly rolled out across your arsenal, rather than needing to update each weapon individually.