Ukraine builds 258-mph drone killer to down jet-powered Russian unmanned aircraft

Ukraine’s Vluchnyk has completed internal testing of the Zorelit v5, a high-speed interceptor drone designed to counter aerial targets including jet-powered strike UAVs.

The company says the new aircraft has completed a full cycle of internal testing and is ready for delivery to military units. It is currently available through direct contracts, with broader availability planned after the system completes Ukraine’s codification process.

Built to catch fast-moving drones

According to Militarnyi, which reported the development after speaking with Vluchnyk, the Zorelit v5 has a stated maximum speed of 416 km/h (258 mph) and a range of up to 47 kilometers (29 miles) on a single charge. At a cruising speed of around 200 km/h, its flight time can reach approximately 17 minutes.

The Drone Front also reported the same performance figures, describing the Zorelit v5 as a jet-powered interceptor intended to destroy Russian kamikaze and reconnaissance UAVs. The aircraft is designed to intercept targets directly along their flight path.

Vluchnyk says it is intended to counter reconnaissance UAVs as well as Russian Gerbera and Geran-2 drones, along with the faster, jet-powered Geran-3 and Geran-4. According to the manufacturer, the interceptor’s maximum speed allows it to engage targets traveling at around 300-350 km/h.

The Zorelit v5 can carry a 300-600 gram warhead, according to Vluchnyk’s specifications. Its standard configuration includes a camera gimbal, an ELRS control system with a selectable operating frequency band, a 2.5-watt video transmitter, and a warhead initiation board supporting remote detonation and a physical safety pin.

AI-assisted interception

The interceptor also incorporates several automated functions intended to assist during the interception process. Militarnyi reports that the Zorelit v5 can be equipped with an automatic target detection and illumination system using AI algorithms. The developers have also provided for automatic terminal guidance during the final stage of the flight.

The drone can optionally be integrated with SkyMap, a system that allows it to automatically reach the target area and calculate an interception trajectory while taking remaining battery consumption into account, according to Vluchnyk. SkyMap can calculate flight routes based on the target’s trajectory and the interceptor’s remaining battery power.

The Zorelit v5 can also be remotely controlled and transmit video over the internet. The standard configuration includes a rotating camera system and the 2.5-watt video transmitter.

An evolution of the Zorelit v4

The Zorelit v5 was developed from Vluchnyk’s earlier Zorelit v4 interceptor. The company says the v4 has already seen combat use, been adopted for service, and received a NATO Stock Number. Some of the technical solutions developed and tested during the v4’s operational use were carried over to the new interceptor.

Before an interceptor is shipped to a customer, Vluchnyk says each individual aircraft undergoes a test flight. The company records the flight and marks each unit, allowing it to track the particular assembly and components used in that aircraft.

For now, the Zorelit v5 is available to military organizations through direct contracts with Vluchnyk. The company says it will also become available through Ukraine’s e-procurement system after completing the required codification process.

The new interceptor reflects the growing emphasis on dedicated drones designed specifically to counter other unmanned aircraft, with Vluchnyk targeting the higher-speed end of that threat with the Zorelit v5.