German startup Stark, which operates offices in Berlin, Munich, and Kyiv, has announced the development of a new kamikaze drone—an advanced system designed to strike targets autonomously at distances up to 100 kilometers, even in areas without communication signals.
The drone, officially named the Stark One Way Effector-VTO (OWE-V) and nicknamed Virtus, builds on lessons learned directly from battlefield conditions in Ukraine. It features vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities and integrates artificial intelligence into its targeting system, allowing it to function independently without real-time operator input.
Stark rose to prominence after partnering with Helsing, the maker of the HX-2 loitering munition already in use by Ukrainian forces. The pair secured a contract to deliver kamikaze drones to the German military (Bundeswehr). Stark has now released full specifications for its own homegrown drone system.
The Virtus drone cruises at 120 km/h and can accelerate up to 250 km/h in a final dive attack. It can stay in the air for up to 60 minutes and carry a payload of 5 kilograms. According to the company, the drone can hit predesignated targets up to 100 kilometers away with no operator guidance during flight, making it highly suited for use in electronic warfare environments.
If no target is found, Virtus includes a Return-and-Land function, allowing for recovery and reuse—an uncommon feature for kamikaze drones. Its deployment time from storage to launch-ready status is just five minutes.
Control of the drone is powered by Stark’s proprietary software, Minerva, which allows a single operator to manage multiple drones simultaneously. This makes swarm operations possible, significantly increasing battlefield impact.
The company also notes that its production lines are fully automated, with all components sourced within Europe. While not officially confirmed, Stark’s Kyiv office and mission statement—supplying NATO allies and partners like Ukraine—strongly indicate that Virtus is already being used in combat against Russian forces.
