Ukrainian Queen Hornet Saves a DJI Mavic in Daring Drone Rescue

On november 19 of this year, something unusual happened over enemy territory. A Ukrainian FPV combat drone, the massive Queen Hornet, pulled off a rescue mission that looked more like a Pixar short than a battlefield operation. The story spread fast in the drone community because it was equal parts impressive and hilarious.

As reported by the X account of the Wild Hornets, a Ukrainian DJI Mavic drone had fallen onto a roof deep in hostile land. Normally, that would be the end. Another lost drone. Another sad entry in the great ledger of missing quadcopters. But not this time. The Queen Hornet arrived.

On a video recorded by a third drone, the Queen Hornet appeared with what looked like a hook dangling under her belly. She hovered above the trapped Mavic like a large cousin checking on a smaller family member. Then she circled, adjusted her position, and made a smooth grab. The move was so clean that some pilots joked she must have practiced on weekends.

The clip lasts only eighteen seconds, but it is pure gold. At the end, the Queen Hornet begins flying home with the Mavic hanging below. It is a proud moment. She does not wobble. She does not complain. She just heads straight back toward Ukrainian territory as if carrying a drone that weighs more than two pounds is no big deal. For her, it really is not. She usually carries warheads up to 18 lb.

To watch a seventeen inch FPV drone trained for combat suddenly moonlight as a search and rescue quad feels both shocking and delightful. The Queen Hornet looked almost joyful in the footage. It is hard to make a combat drone look happy, but somehow this moment did it.

Meet the Makers Behind the Queen Hornet

The company behind this rescue star is Wild Hornets. This Ukrainian MilTech group has been developing advanced unmanned systems for the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the spring of 2023. They work closely with elite defense units. Their mission is to build modern tools that give frontline operators new options in high pressure environments.

Wild Hornets specializes in FPV drones, aerial interceptors, wing type reconnaissance drones, kamikaze platforms, ground control stations, remote mining systems, bombing systems, and aerial logistics tools. In simple words, they build many of the drones that Ukraine now depends on every day.

Their flagship designs include kamikaze drones, anti aircraft drones, digital ground stations, batteries, and the impressive STING interceptor. STING was created to hunt down kamikaze drones like the Shahed. It flies fast, aims precisely, and hits hard. It also looks like something from a sci fi movie.

Then there is the Queen Hornet. She is one of their largest FPV models. She uses a seventeen inch aluminum frame, heavy brushless motors, and ESCs rated for eighty amps. Operators can choose analog or digital video, with support for DJI O3, DJI O4, Walksnail Avatar GT, or even thermal cameras. Transmission can be analog or digital. Control can run through ELRS or TBS.

With two 6s4p batteries, the Queen Hornet can lift payloads up to 19 lb (nine kg). Her optimal weight is 13 lb (six kg), but she can hit top speeds of 100 mph (160 kilometers per hour) even when loaded. She cruises at 50 mph and can fly up to 12 miles in ideal conditions. Her operational altitude ranges between 150 and 900 feet, with a maximum ceiling of six thousand.

This is not a hobby quad. It is a serious machine built for serious work. Yet last week, she added a new title to her resume. Drone rescuer.

A Rescue That Gave the Drone Community a Good Laugh

It is rare to see combat drones do anything cute, but this mission hit a special spot with pilots around the world. Many FPV fans joked that the Queen Hornet clearly wanted to show off. Others said she proved once again that Ukrainian drone operators are some of the most creative on the planet.

The moment went viral because it was not expected. A fast FPV drone that can chase vehicles at 100 mph suddenly slowed down, attached a hook, and performed a careful rooftop retrieval. It showed precision, control, and a little personality.

The Mavic 4 looked like a baby bird being carried home by a strong mechanical parent. The Queen Hornet looked like she enjoyed the challenge. And the operators behind the screen must have been laughing the entire time.

This rescue did more than save a drone. It told a story about innovation and improvisation. Ukraine has become a leader in drone warfare because of companies like Wild Hornets and operators who think on their feet. The Queen Hornet rescue felt like another reminder of that.

DroneXL’s Take

The Queen Hornet is usually known for her firepower, but this rescue showed she can be gentle too. The mission was clever, funny, and technically impressive. It also highlighted the strength of Ukraine’s drone industry. Wild Hornets keeps building bold machines, and Ukrainian operators keep finding new ways to use them. The Queen Hornet saving a Mavic might be the most charming drone moment of the year.

Photo credit: x.com/wilendhornets