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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Russia has begun using jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles more actively; they fly significantly faster than conventional drones. Because of their high speed and altitude, Ukraine’s air defense forces sometimes have only a few moments to intercept them. Now Ukraine is trying to develop a new generation of interceptor drones as quickly as possible.
This is reported in a piece by the Associated Press.
Why have jet drones become a new challenge for air defenses?
According to AP, the new Russian drones are already creating serious difficulties for Ukrainian air defense, including during attacks on Kyiv. They can travel at speeds of hundreds of kilometers per hour, and because they fly at considerable altitudes it becomes harder for existing systems to catch up with them.
Because of this, Ukrainian defense manufacturers are hastily developing faster interceptors. That includes using jet engines and artificial intelligence to assist with guidance.
Ukrainian forces are already testing new systems. According to manufacturers, some interceptors have successfully struck Russian jet drones. At the same time, establishing mass production and training crews may take anywhere from several months to half a year.
How is Ukrainian air defense trying to counter the drones?
Currently Ukrainian units use a combination of electronic warfare, artificial intelligence, and interceptor drones. EW systems and algorithms help funnel Russian UAVs into certain air corridors where they are easier to catch.
However, the speeds of existing interceptors are not always sufficient. According to AP, the fastest of them typically reach about 300 – 400 kilometers per hour, while the new Russian drones present a substantially higher speed threat.
Crews have also begun training on new interceptor models. Some of them have received battery-cooling systems that allow raising a drone’s speed without the risk of overheating.
To fight jet-powered targets, Ukraine also uses F-16 fighters. They are capable of intercepting such drones, but they require significant maintenance, meaning some aircraft may be out of service.
New jet-drone interceptor / Screenshot from an Associated Press video
Will it be possible to create new interceptors quickly?
Ukrainian defense firms are now working on faster interceptors, new engines, and autonomous guidance systems. However, rapidly scaling up production is difficult: components are needed, new designs must be tested, and operators must be trained.
One problem is miniature turbojet engines. A significant share of such components comes from Europe, and their production, AP reports, currently does not meet Ukraine’s potential needs.
At least one Ukrainian defense company has already successfully tested an interceptor against the new threat. Vyriy Drones CEO Oleksii Babenko estimates that scaling up production could take three to four months.
“Right now we are racing against time. We are trying to create faster interceptors and new solutions,”
Babenko said.
Military analyst Taras Chmut believes the process could take six months or longer.
Recall that Russian jet-powered drones have become part of a new tactic of aerial attacks aimed, in particular, at Ukrainian infrastructure. Targets of recent attacks have included energy facilities, railways, industrial enterprises, telecommunications networks, and other sites.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Російські дрони випереджають ППО: Україна терміново створює нове покоління перехоплювачів". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: Channel 24.
