Ukraine is advancing its drone capabilities with the testing of a new interceptor drone called Bullet Jet, designed to combat various aerial targets including Russian drones like Orlan-10, Zala, Lancet, and helicopters.
80 Miles per Hour
According to Tech the drone is currently undergoing flight tests and is poised to strengthen Ukraine's burgeoning drone arsenal.
According to Military Service reports, Bullet Jet, equipped with a jet engine, reached a speed of 130 km/h (80 mph) during its test flight. The drone's design suggests it can achieve even higher speeds crucial for effective aerial interception missions.
The Bullet Jet system, estimated to cost around $140,000, includes a ground station and five unmanned aerial vehicles. Each drone is equipped with combat payloads and FPV (first-person view) cameras similar to those used in FPV drones.
These drones have proven effective in Ukrainian operations against Russian UAVs such as Orlan-10, Zala, and Lancet, leveraging experience gained from previous engagements to transform them into versatile weapons.
Big Shoes to Fill
Since the onset of the conflict, Ukraine has developed several drone models tailored to military needs, including the Magura 5 naval drones effective against Russian ships, and kamikaze-type drones like Bóbr.
Analysts from the "Political Science and Security Studies Journal" note that Magura drones have struck 14 vessels, destroying 8, demonstrating their impact in naval warfare.
The Bóbr drones, categorized as cruise-like ammunition with a range of approximately 1000 km, reportedly reached Moscow in July 2023, according to OSINTdefender analysts.
These drones, weighing a few dozen kilograms and capable of speeds between 150-200 km/h, set a precedent for the capabilities Bullet Jet seeks to achieve.
