Heavy Strike Bomber Drone Pilot
Requirements
- Age 18 and over
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Stress resilience, attention to detail
- Ability to make decisions quickly and take responsibility
- Experience flying drones or using simulators is an advantage
- Desire to develop in the field of unmanned systems
Responsibilities
- Piloting heavy strike drones during combat sorties
- Destroying enemy personnel and equipment with precision bombing
- Keeping UAV ground equipment serviceable
- Carrying out pre-flight preparation
- Working with thermal imagers and night vision devices
Terms
- Mobilisation until the end of martial law, or contract service
- Basic and specialist training as required
- Pay: base pay of UAH 21,000 + an additional bonus of up to UAH 100,000 for carrying out tasks in the combat zone — up to UAH 121,000 per month in total, depending on the duration and area of the tasks
- Full social package
- Full provision of protective equipment and military property
- Opportunity to obtain combatant status (UBD)
Vacancy: Heavy Strike Bomber Drone Pilot
A heavy bomber is a large machine that works mainly at night and carries a payload far beyond anything a light drone can lift. One sortie can do what would otherwise take a dozen small ones.
The pilot is responsible for the machine: take-off, getting to the area, holding the drone over the target while the navigator does their work, and bringing it home. The return is also part of the task: such a drone is reusable and expensive.
This is a position for those to whom what matters is not reaction speed but cool precision and discipline at every stage.
Who can become a heavy bomber pilot
You do not need flying experience, but the requirements here are higher than on light drones — the machine is heavy and expensive.
What really matters:
- Procedural discipline. Pre-flight checks, the sequence of actions, control at every stage — this is exactly what keeps the drone in the air
- Night work. Most sorties take place in the dark, and you need to adapt to this routine
- Calm under load: the drone stays in the air for a long time, and the responsibility is on you the whole way
- Ability to work in a crew — the pilot and navigator work as one
- Medical fitness — determined by the military medical board (VLK)
How a pilot differs from a navigator: the pilot is responsible for the machine and the flight, the navigator for reaching the target and handling the payload. Neither can complete a sortie without the other.
What a heavy bomber pilot does in the 141st SMB
In addition to what is described in the requirements above:
- Preparing the machine for a sortie together with the technical team: power, components, communications, payload mount
- Planning the route with payload weight, weather and range in mind
- Flying at night, often under communications interference
- Holding the drone over the point while the navigator does their part
- Return and post-flight debrief: what worked, what did not, what to change next time
How you will be trained
The path is the same for everyone: 51 days of basic military training, then the brigade adaptation course — 14–15 days with instructors who have combat experience.
Then comes specialist training on heavy drones. First, flying hours in training, then sorties in a crew with an experienced pilot. Newcomers are not sent on a combat sortie alone: the cost of a mistake with such a machine is too high.
Tactical medicine is drilled until it becomes automatic. Our instructors' principle is short: the priority is to survive.
What you will be provided with
You will be fully kitted out: gear, protective equipment and the equipment you need for the job.
You will not be alone. A heavy drone is always a team effort: the pilot, the navigator, the technical team that prepares the machine and the people who support the sortie.
What the terms include:
- Pay: base pay of UAH 21,000 + an additional bonus of up to UAH 100,000 for carrying out tasks in the combat zone — up to UAH 121,000 per month in total, depending on the duration and area of the tasks
- Full provision of gear, protective equipment and military property
- The social package provided for service members
- Opportunity to obtain combatant status (UBD)
Where you can grow
- Crew commander, senior pilot of the unit
- Instructor training new heavy drone pilots
- Planning the use of heavy unmanned systems
- Technical track — upgrading and refining the machines
In the 141st, competence and results count — not length of service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Logic and process: we answer the key questions about enlistment, training and status.
Apply for this positionDo I need experience flying heavy drones?
+It is not required. You are trained from scratch, but the demands on discipline and attentiveness are higher than on light drones.
Why are sorties mainly at night?
+At night a heavy drone is less visible. This is the unit's main mode of operation, and everyone who comes here adapts to it.
Can I move here from light drones?
+Yes, it is a common path. UAV operator experience counts here and shortens training.
I have no military experience. Can I still join you?
+Yes. Most of our best specialists were civilians yesterday. What matters to us is your motivation. We’ll match a role to your skills: if you understand machinery — you’ll go to the mechanics; if you know electronics — to UAVs or communications. Everything military — we’ll teach you.
How long does training take before deployment to the unit?
+Every recruit completes Basic General Military Training (BGMT) at a training center. After that — additional specialized training depending on the chosen role. We send only the prepared to the line of contact — that is our core principle.
What happens after I fill out the form?
+Your application goes to the recruiting center. Within 24 hours our specialist will call — it’s not an interrogation, just an introduction and answers to your questions. If we’re a match, the brigade issues an official request and our liaison helps you get through the TRC and MMB as fast as possible.
Can I transfer to the 141st SMB from another unit?
+Yes, we consider transfers — including via the Army+ app. Fill out the form and select the status “Active service member” — a recruiter will advise on your real chances and the steps involved.
I am AWOL (SZCh). Can I join?
+The law allows a return to service. If you’re motivated to fight in a sound team — fill out the form and state your status honestly. Our specialists will advise you individually on legal ways to return. Confidentially.
Do you provide uniform and equipment?
+Yes. The brigade fully provides basic kit, body armor, helmets and weapons. Plus — thanks to a strong volunteer network, we have additional technological support: drones, EW, transport.
Similar positions
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Tell us which role you wantWhat happens after you apply
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01
A call within 24 hours
Your application goes to the recruiting centre and a specialist calls within a day. It is not an interrogation — just an introduction and answers to your questions.
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02
Interview and choosing a role
Together we look at what you can do and where it is most useful. If we are a match, the brigade issues an official request for your transfer.
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03
Enlistment office and medical board — with support
Our liaison helps you get through the enlistment office and the military medical board as fast as possible. You do not navigate the queues alone.
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04
Training first, then the unit
Basic general military training takes 51 days, followed by the brigade’s 14–15 day adaptation course with instructors who have combat experience. We send only prepared soldiers to the front line.