US and Ukraine create AI-powered Shahed-style drone: What is known so far
Illustrative photo: the new kamikaze drone has already successfully passed testing (Getty Images)
The American company Auterion and an unnamed Ukrainian firm have developed a long-range kamikaze drone with AI and self-guidance. It has already successfully passed testing, Defense Express reports.
Reports say the drone, called the ALM-20, can cover a distance of up to 1,600 km to its target and has a 45 kg warhead. Targeting is done visually using artificial intelligence algorithms.
The company said the drone has already completed full tests that "included a ground launch, GPS and non‑GPS navigation, a long transit, and a ground detonation."
Thanks to the Skynode N onboard computer from Auterion, the ALM-20 can home in on and strike a target even if satellite navigation fails.
In an image published by Artemis, the drone externally resembles a Shahed‑136. The ALM‑20 has a nose camera, additional antennas, and an electric motor. Its production will also be carried out at scale.
ALM-20 kamikaze drone (auterion.com)
"Auterion, together with the US Department of Defense and other partners, is moving to a scaling phase aimed at joint large‑scale production," the company said.
Production lines will be set up in Ukraine, the United States, and Germany, and established partnerships with manufacturers will enable the scale‑up of output.
Recently, Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal promised to reach a rate of 1,000 interceptor drones per day in the near future. According to him, this will be a response to the enemy’s nighttime attacks.
In addition, Ukraine and the United Kingdom have planned joint production of interceptor drones to counter Russian Shaheds.
