Drones intercepting drones

Another new era in drone warfare has begun - the era of drones intercepting and destroying other drones. Proving that the prediction of future wars featuring first contact being machine-on-machine has already begun - in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Air Force Command West recently released photos of a new, low-cost, interceptor drone built specifically to take down Iranian-supplied 'Shahed' drones used by the Russian Armed Forces. The Ukrainian FPV drone launches from a mobile catapult with a simplified setup, enabling quick deployment even for troops with minimal drone training, and features a fixed-wing airframe with a carbon fiber shell, and a propulsion system tuned for long-range, high-altitude flights. Performance details and hit rates of the new homegrown drone have not been disclosed.

Units of drone interceptor crews have been created in the military units of the "West" air command. Crew training is ongoing, and pilots, foremen, mechanics, and sappers are being trained to equip drones with ammunition. Interestingly, while the Ukrainian Air Force coordinates deployment and training, production itself isn’t backed by the state, it is funded by private donors and volunteer groups.