Defence forces receive first Ukrainian jet-powered interceptor
The arsenal of Ukraine's defence forces has been strengthened with Alexa Spatium, the first Ukrainian jet-powered drone interceptor.
Source: Ukraine's Ministry of Defence
Quote: "It is a high-speed jet-powered unmanned aircraft developed by Ukrainian engineers specifically to destroy small aerial, ground and surface assets in real combat conditions."
Details: The ministry said the interceptor is primarily designed to hit Russian Geran, Geran-4, Geran-5 and Shahed-131 kamikaze UAVs. The system can also be used against reconnaissance drones, helicopters and other individual assets.
The ministry said the UAV has a number of features, including:
- a powerful turbojet engine
- a high flight ceiling
- a significant combat radius
- a wide flight range, from low to medium altitudes
- flexible combat tactics, using either pre-set coordinates or direct guidance
- a range of warhead options, including high-explosive fragmentation, shaped-charge and thermobaric warheads
- high manoeuvrability in flight
- fully remote preparation and launch
- high maximum speed and low minimum speed to conserve fuel
- effective search and targeting systems, including television and infrared systems.
Alexa Spatium is also said to have reliable control and video transmission systems.
The drone measures about 1.5 by 1.7 metres and can be launched from a mobile catapult within minutes. The interceptor is made from lightweight, durable composite material, allowing it to perform sharp manoeuvres without losing controllability.
A drone that does not complete its mission can return to the launch site and be reused.
Background: Recently, former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov said that Ukraine's first jet-powered interceptor drones designed to counter jet-powered Shahed-type drones were undergoing combat testing. One of them can reach speeds of more than 600 km/h.
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