Interceptor drone
Type of unmanned aerial vehicle
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An interceptor drone is a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (also known as drones) which has been primarily designed as to neutralize enemy drones. Interceptor drones have become a cost-effective solution compared to more expensive air defence missiles.[1]
History
Russo-Ukrainian war
The use of interceptor drones became prominent during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The widespread use of Shahed-type kamikaze drones by Russia led to the development of drones based on First Person View (FPV) drones, but the quadcopter-shaped like a munition.[2] Interceptor Drones such as the Sting costs $2,500 compared to more expensive air defence weapons which costs millions of dollars, making them more cost-effective against drones. The interceptor drones could also be recovered and reused.[3] Later interceptors such as the P1-SUN adopted fiber-optics cables to counter electronic warfare and further developments led to drones such as Octopus-100 which use computer vision and thermal imaging to autonomously lock on to enemy drones. [4]
In response, Russia also began developing interceptor drones to counter Ukrainian attack drones.[5]
2026 Iran War
At the beginning of the 2026 Iran War, the US and Gulf States were unprepared to counter the threat of Shahed drone swarms resulting in drones slipping through air defences. Ukraine sent teams of drone experts with interceptor drones to help defend Gulf states against Iranian drone attacks.[6][7] The US also began deploying Merops drone systems to the middle east.[8]
Characteristics
Interceptor drones could use several ways to neutralise another drone. Interceptors could eliminate the drone through collision with only kinetic energy, or carry an explosive charge to destroy a drone or a swarm by detonating in the proximity. Drones can also carry jammers to disrupt the control or navigation of the target drone. Net interceptors carry net launcher that releases a net onto the enemy drone, which interferes with the propellers.[1]
Counter-measures
Increasing the speed of the kamikaze drones could allow them to outrun the interceptors, making the interception of turbojet-powered drones, such as the Geran-3 and Geran-5, challenging for slower propeller-driven interceptors.[8][1]
Russia has also equipped kamikaze drones with rear-view cameras, allowing them to detect interceptors and take evasive action. [9]