The rules of aerial warfare are changing. While stealth and low cost were previously the key parameters for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), speed is now taking center stage. Experts predict a fundamental shift in the design of interceptor drones: in the coming years, the vast majority of such machines will be equipped with jet propulsion systems.
This trend is driven by the evolution of threats. The speed of enemy strike UAVs is steadily increasing, forcing air defense system developers to seek new engineering solutions. This was stated by Oleg Bukarenko, CEO of Yartura, a company specializing in the development of unmanned systems, in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
The Era of Jet Thrust
According to Bukarenko, the transition to jet thrust is not just a modification, but an inevitable stage of industry development. "From my point of view, we all (developers of interceptor drones) will be switching to jet thrust. Because this significantly increases speed, it is what we are all moving towards," the expert noted.
However, increasing speed is not just about replacing the engine. It is a complex engineering challenge requiring the modernization of related systems. Increasing the speed regime entails the need to develop additional subsystems that must withstand new loads and ensure flight stability.
Wings vs. Propellers
Today, in the fight against high-speed jet drones like the "Shahed," fixed-wing interceptors have a clear advantage. The key factor here is aerodynamics. Wings allow drones to reach speeds unattainable for multicopters and significantly increase their range.
"Wings allow drones to achieve higher speeds, increase range, and glide, while using fewer resources of the product itself," Bukarenko explained.
At the same time, multicopter systems retain their unique advantage — the ability to hover in the air. They are more maneuverable in confined spaces but lose to fixed-wing analogues in route range and peak speed. If the task is to intercept a fast target, "wings" remain the only viable option, provided they are developed correctly.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
In addition to aerodynamic changes, Ukrainian defense companies are actively integrating elements of artificial intelligence and machine vision into their platforms. These technologies are becoming critical for bypassing enemy electronic warfare (EW), allowing drones to maintain autonomy in the presence of interference.
A bright example of such developments is the world's first autonomous copter-type interceptor drone, LITAVR. This system is capable of taking off, detecting, chasing, and destroying aerial targets independently without pilot involvement during the flight phase, demonstrating how AI technologies are changing aerial combat tactics.
