Ukraine's military receives first jet-powered drone interceptor for Shaheds
Photo: The Ukrainian Armed Forces have received the jet-powered interceptor drone (mod.gov.ua)
Ukraine’s defense arsenal has been bolstered by the first Ukrainian jet-powered drone interceptor, Alexa Spatium, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
Alexa Spatium is a high-speed jet-powered unmanned aircraft developed by Ukrainian engineers specifically to destroy small aerial, ground, and surface targets under real combat conditions.
The interceptor is primarily designed to engage Russian airborne kamikaze UAVs:
- Geran-3;
- Geran-4;
- Geran-5;
- Shahed-131.
The system can also be used to engage reconnaissance drones, helicopters, and other individual targets.
During testing, the interceptor confirmed the tactical and technical characteristics stated by the manufacturer. Among the unmanned aircraft’s features are:
- Powerful turbojet engine;
- High flight ceiling;
- Significant operational combat radius;
- Wide flight range — from low to medium altitudes;
- Flexible combat tactics — using pre-programmed coordinates or in direct guidance mode;
- Variety of warheads — high-explosive fragmentation, shaped-charge, and thermobaric;
- Fully remote preparation and launch.
The drone measures approximately 1.5 by 1.7 meters and is launched from a mobile catapult within a few minutes. It is made of a lightweight and durable composite material, allowing it to perform sharp maneuvers without losing control.
An unmanned aerial vehicle that fails to complete its mission can return to the launch site and be used again.
