Interceptor drones need optimal altitude for Shahed engagements — aviation expert

Aviation expert and analyst Kostiantyn Kryvolap stated this on Espreso TV.

"The topic of interceptor drones is a bit overhyped. Why? Because it’s not a game-changer. This won’t mean that all Shaheds will be shot down. Some of them will be shot down, and some will be used to shoot down these Shaheds. But there are certain limitations. If a Shahed is flying at an altitude up to 2,000 meters, interceptor drones are very effective," he said.

Kryvolap added that interceptor drones incorporate all the most effective, rational, and correct solutions that have so far been developed in our drone technology.

"In strike drones, FPVs, and reconnaissance drones. Everything that has been developed in terms of communication, control, guidance, re-targeting, artificial intelligence—all of this is implemented in interceptor drones. It’s hard to recall an interceptor drone among the current models that doesn’t use elements of artificial intelligence, especially for detection and re-targeting. But they have, so to speak, energy limitations. Because if a Shahed is flying at 4,000 meters, all the battery energy is spent on the motors and propellers just to reach 4,000 meters, overcoming gravity. The gravitational component is very significant," the expert noted.

He explained that when such a drone even manages to reach that altitude, it is already very difficult for it to accelerate, catch up with the Shahed, and especially to hit it.

"That’s why interceptor drones need to be positioned at an altitude from which they can launch, catch up with the Shahed, and hit it. So, if the altitude is over 2,000 meters, you need appropriate platforms. Such platforms could be light aircraft, but it’s better if they are equipped with short-range missiles. Then they will be quite effective at destroying Shaheds, provided they have the necessary guidance and communication systems, friend-or-foe identification, and division of responsibility zones—all of which depend on the overall air defense system," Kryvolap added.

He emphasized that interceptor drones are very effective on the front line, when they are used to shoot down FPV drones and reconnaissance drones, because all this hardware flies at altitudes up to about a kilometer.

"They don’t go higher, because above that they become ineffective, there’s no point. And at those altitudes, interceptor drones are absolutely effective. It’s the best weapon you can think of. But when it comes to Shaheds that reach cities and fly at altitudes above 2,000 meters, the effectiveness of interceptor drones drops sharply. Other means are needed there," the expert said.

In his opinion, the entire concept of fighting Shaheds needs to be reconsidered.

"Because Shaheds have changed, not only in terms of their warheads, but also in that they now have additional communication capabilities. There are now reconnaissance Shaheds. They don’t fly at the highest altitudes, but they can use cameras to get images, transmit them to a control center, and this gives the Russians new capabilities. They can program some of their Shahed drones based on the images obtained by the reconnaissance drones. This significantly changes the whole situation.

If the capabilities of the Shaheds have changed, and we don’t change our own capabilities, then we will be losing in this regard. That’s why, since March-April this year, the number of successful Shahed strikes has increased significantly. It has almost doubled. If previously it was on average about 13%, now it’s 25-28% of Shaheds reaching their targets," Kryvolap concluded.