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For the first time in history, anyone can experience modern warfare through the eyes of an FPV drone operator. The Ukrainian Fight Drone Simulator (UFDS) is now available on Steam! This is the world’s first ultra-realistic combat drone simulator, created using real data from the Ukrainian frontline.
“Ukrainian combat drone pilots have been training in UFDS for more than two years, and now it’s available to everyone,” the developers say. “Over 5,000 operators have honed their skills here in controlled simulations, after which they carried out more than 100,000 precise combat strikes – minimizing the risks for real drones.”
We asked the developers what main goal they set for themselves when creating the Ukrainian Fight Drone Simulator. “From the very beginning, our goal with UFDS was to build a tool that would allow Ukrainian Defense Forces to train combat drone pilots quickly and effectively. Training in a simulator gives pilots the opportunity to develop real skills without risking expensive equipment, which makes this tool incredibly valuable,” the team explained.
“It was important for us to incorporate real mission experience and the types of tasks pilots perform on the front line, so the simulator would feel as close to reality as possible. We stay in constant contact with soldiers working on the front, learning about new tactics and challenges that emerge – and then we integrate that knowledge into new missions or training features. This way, we continuously update and expand the simulator’s capabilities, and we have many additions planned to make it even better.”
The team added that the full military version of the simulator is provided free of charge to training centers that prepare drone pilots in Ukraine: “This is part of our mission – what we can contribute to victory.”
Unlike traditional military games, UFDS doesn’t focus on soldiers with rifles. Instead, it’s a game about operators of intelligent machines who plan, control, and coordinate the actions of robotic units on the battlefield. Physical firepower is replaced by precision, strategy, and command. UFDS blends fast first-person reaction and FPV-style piloting with RTS-like resource planning, risk management, and unit rotations. Players pilot drones in FPV mode, manage their configurations and ammunition, plan missions, and conduct evacuations – all with limited resources, just like real operators of strike drones.
Of course, some data had to be concealed. As the team explained to us, the Steam version of the simulator was adapted for civilian use: “We removed everything that could be sensitive. For example, this applies to the map system, the ability to choose various options and settings – many missions and content will also be unavailable compared to the full military version, which is distributed only through closed channels.” However, the developers note that the emotions, the adrenaline of drone combat, and the feeling of flight remain the same in both versions.
The game features two main modes – Academy and Battlefield:
- Academy:
Here players go through training and improve their drone-handling skills. A Racing Mode is also available to help develop speed and precision. - Battlefield:
This is where players put their skills to the test in dynamic scenarios. They defend positions, control a swarm of drones, and carry out precision strikes under pressure.
The developers also shared their key development plans for the coming year. “We have a lot in the pipeline, especially for the military version of the simulator – expanding the drone lineup, introducing new training courses, adding group training, mission-planning and mission-management tools all the way up to the command level, and much more. But the public version will also continue to evolve – multiplayer will be one of the major upcoming updates. We believe that the ability to immerse yourself in a real drone battle together with a team of other players can bring fresh emotions to fans of shooter games. For example, when you work together to defend a position or wipe out an enemy squad using only drones. It will be useful, and we hope it will spark additional interest in drone operations, especially among younger players.”
The game stands out for its deep simulation. The developers used precise calculations of physics, aerodynamics, and battery behavior to deliver an experience that feels as close to real flight as possible. Players can also learn to operate actual combat drones that have been tested on the front lines, including the Angel Arrow 12″, Angel Arrow 15″, Mimic 3T, FPV Kamikaze Phantom 7–10″, and LuckyStrike. Each drone supports various bomb types and modular mounting systems.
We asked the developers whether new drone models are planned, and they said the simulator’s lineup is constantly expanding. “We are open to collaborating with manufacturers interested in integrating their models into our program. These don’t have to be limited to quadcopters – fixed-wing drones, ground vehicles, and more are all possibilities,” the team explained. “Our goal is to create a truly versatile tool that can help train drone operators across a variety of classes and specializations.”
In Ukrainian Fight Drone Simulator, players need to plan missions and, based on those plans, select drones and equipment configurations, analyze maps, and conduct briefings. The game features dynamic weather changes and a realistic day/night cycle, while navigation follows NATO standards (Military Grid Reference System). Players can also simulate operations under electronic warfare conditions and other environmental interferences.
To achieve full realism, the developers recommend using flight controllers such as the Radiomaster Pocket, Radiomaster Zorro, Radiomaster TX12, TBS Tango 2, Radiomaster Boxer, and Radiomaster TX16S.
Ukrainian Fight Drone Simulator was created by Ukrainian engineers and drone operators serving on the front lines. The simulator recreates real missions with authentic objectives, combat conditions, and drone types. Military operators already use UFDS for training in real-world scenarios, and now civilian users can experience the same challenges.
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