Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has permanently transformed the nature of warfare, placing unmanned systems at the heart of the modern battlefield. Today, drones – from reconnaissance platforms and strike FPV drones to autonomous interceptors – have become essential tools for gaining tactical and operational advantage. They conduct reconnaissance, adjust fire, and strike targets, all while operating amid intense electronic warfare, signal loss, and constantly changing battlefield conditions.

From knowing how to fly to being ready to act

As the role of unmanned systems has evolved, so too have the demands placed on those who operate them. Today’s drone operator must not only be a confident pilot, but also be able to assess the situation quickly, operate under electronic interference, make decisions under pressure, and work as part of a well-coordinated crew.

UAV operator training must therefore be fast, scalable, and as close as possible to real mission conditions.

This is the need addressed by Obriy, a professional simulation platform whose name means horizon in Ukrainian. Designed to train UAV operators and help them maintain their skills, it was developed based on the real-world combat experience of Ukrainian units.

Obriy enables operators to train on different types of unmanned systems, including FPV kamikaze drones, interceptor drones, and fixed-wing strike UAVs. The platform allows users to configure the drone’s parameters, camera type, munitions, fuzes, communications setup, transmitter, OSD, and mission conditions.

Unlike conventional commercial or esports simulators, Obriy does not recreate ideal flight conditions. Instead, it models the complexities of real combat, allowing operators to train in scenarios that account for electronic warfare, the radio horizon, communications limitations, terrain, and other factors that directly affect mission outcomes.

Training takes place on real satellite maps covering more than 50,000 km². Mission scenarios can be configured to reflect different weather conditions, seasons, and times of day – all of which directly influence how missions are carried out in real-world operations.

The Obriy simulator covers the entire training cycle – from developing basic motor skills and individual practice to mission planning, command-and-staff exercises, firmware and software module testing, and evaluating UAV behaviour in a controlled simulation environment.

It provides operators, crews, and developers with a safe space to practise complex scenarios in advance, without risking equipment or personnel.

There are no second chances on the battlefield. Train through mistakes in the simulator – face reality beyond Obriy.

‍