Ukraine Can't Stop Russia's Jet-Powered Shahed Drone

pjc50

$100k a drone. Ukraine needs Patriot or an equivalent air to ground capability, but those are extremely expensive. It sounds like the prop-driven shaheds were being intercepted with prop-driven drones piloted manually? I suppose that shows the relevant technology for guidance has been kept secret enough that it's not instantly being cloned, or is more expensive than human operators.

leoedin

It just seems like everyone is re-inventing the tech of the 50s and 60s, but at a fraction of the cost by using a completely different set of parts, supply chains and cost structures. And massive eventual volumes. My guess is the Ukrainians will put a rocket on their interceptor drones, and develop some sort of radar or heat seeking guidance system. Perhaps we'll end up with an interesting hybrid interceptor missile that uses electric propulsion for part of the journey?

jmpman

In an economic battle, I continue wondering why Ukraine has interceptors which detonate instead of being armed with projectiles. High speed cameras and low latency bridgewire ignition, coupled with AI targeting should enable single shot targeting with high probability of success. Multiple reusable interceptors seems like a better solution than expendable. At the same build rate, the number of interceptors per incoming drone will grow over time, instead of maintaining equivalence.

sedan_baklazhan

Drone’s name is Geran-5. It is also made in Russia, not in Iran. Nor does Iran produce such a (or somehow similar) drone. Nor does Iran claim any rights to it. Calling it Shahed is a very weird propaganda twist.

burnt-resistor

This is outdated, sensational misinformation. Ukraine has already tested a new type of unnamed high-speed interceptor (with a unique center crosshair icon) and has the video to prove it has taken down Geran-5. Jake Broe, Suchomimus, Artur Rehi, MAGYARBIRDS, and UNITED24 have good Ukraine updates. What's difficult for Ukraine to stop is Geran-5 manufacturing that is expanding and going deep underground, and 1.6T RUB ($25B USD) will be invested in this sector this year. The rest of Russia's traditional military-industrial complex including feeder supply chain subcontractors in above-ground buildings are easy pickings. Recently, a FLIR sensor manufacturer used by multiple cruise missiles and surface-to-air missiles was obliterated by 4 FP-1's. Ukraine is getting good OSINT and other intel on Russia's military contractors and going after them one-by-one to halt the ability of Russia to produce complete weapon systems or produce replacements/spare parts.

AuthAuth

Its really depressing watching Ukraine get ragged by a larger nation while all its neighbors sit on the sidelines and watch. Deploy troops to Ukraine it wont trigger nuclear war.