Share Source: Defense Express
American defense company Red Cat and its maritime division Blue Ops have commenced full-scale serial production of their Variant 7 (V7) drones, which are essentially replicas of Ukraine’s Magura V7. Despite the clear origin, the manufacturer now presents the technology as their own invention, according to Defense Express.
Key Takeaways:
- American defense company Red Cat has started producing Variant 7 (V7) drones, resembling the Ukrainian Magura V7.
- The manufacturer emphasizes that the drones were designed and produced in the USA, meeting national security standards.
USA Creates a Copy of the Ukrainian Magura V7 Drone
As stated by the unit’s president, Barry Hinckley, this model was developed “for mass production and configuration that aligns with the tasks facing our clients.”
Furthermore, company releases consistently highlight that the drone was “designed, built, and assembled in the United States.”
Defense Express reminds readers that the V7 maritime drone can rightfully be called a copy of the Ukrainian Magura V7, at least in its prototypes/early versions. When Red Cat entered the maritime drone market in May 2025, they openly spoke of collaboration with a manufacturer whose developments are tested daily in real combat conditions. The released technical specifications of the maritime drone left no doubt that it was indeed the Magura V7.
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According to experts, the final serial modification might still differ from the Ukrainian original due to specific details and internal components.
For instance, Red Cat reports that their V7 maritime drone is equipped with an American suite of autonomous control, monitoring, communication, and mission execution systems, as well as components adhering to internal US national security standards.
Concurrently, it is noted that the Americans are fully adopting the Ukrainian modularity approach. Specifically, to counter long-range strike drones, the American V7 will feature the intelligent Bullfrog turret. Additionally, the drones will integrate autonomous swarm control systems from the acquired company, Apium Swarm Robotics.
By engaging the firm HADDY and utilizing 3D printing, the manufacturer anticipates doubling their production rate, analysts observe.
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