The Ukrainian company «Vlyuchnyk» has unveiled a new interceptor drone, the «Zorelit v5», designed to counter jet-powered strike unmanned aerial vehicles. According to RBC-Ukraine, citing the manufacturer, the aircraft is capable of reaching speeds of up to 416 km/h and intercepting its target directly along its flight path. The release of the new version coincides with a broader trend of carving out jet-powered interceptors as a separate class of anti-drone defense systems: at the end of August, the defense forces already received the first domestically produced jet interceptor, the Alexa Spatium, developed to destroy small air, ground, and surface targets.
Specifications and Combat Capabilities
According to the manufacturer, the maximum speed of the «Zorelit v5» is 416 km/h, with a flight range of up to 47 km on a single charge. At a cruising speed of 200 km/h, flight time is estimated at approximately 17 minutes. The aircraft is designed to carry a warhead weighing between 300 and 600 g. The package includes a camera gimbal, an ELRS module with a choice of several frequency bands (150 / 340 / 500 / 620 / 750 / 915 / 2.4 GHz, Sine.Link, and others), as well as a VTX video transmitter in the 4990–6100 MHz range with a 2.5 W output, featuring arming, remote detonation, and a physical safety pin. The design is oriented toward interception along the target's flight path at the target's cruising speed.
Legacy of v4 and Proven Solutions
The new interceptor was developed based on the previous «Zorelit v4» model, which, according to the company, already has a number of successful combat deployments, has been adopted into service, and has been assigned a NATO code (NSN). The v5 design incorporates solutions proven during the predecessor's combat missions, which, by the developers' logic, reduces deployment risks and accelerates the combat use of the new version.
AI Modules and Autonomous Guidance
The drone can be additionally equipped with a remote control module via the internet, transmitting both control commands and a video stream. The configuration designated «AI» provides target illumination in the thermal imaging camera for more effective tracking, as well as automatic terminal guidance («last mile») to the target in the final stage of the attack. Autonomous navigation to the target zone based on SkyMap data is also claimed.
Supply and Codification
At present, the «Zorelit v5» is available for order through direct contracts with military units. In parallel, the drone is undergoing the codification procedure, after which it will become available for order under the «eBally» program. Thus, the manufacturer is building a two-stage supply scheme: first direct contracts, then mass ordering through the state platform.
Context: Jet Interceptors as a Separate Class
Jet-powered interceptor drones are gradually becoming an independent direction in the development of Ukraine's anti-drone defense. The appearance of the «Zorelit v5» against the backdrop of the already delivered Alexa Spatium points to the formation of an entire line of interception systems designed to operate against high-speed jet UAVs. At the same time, all the technical parameters cited are manufacturer claims and, at the time of publication, have not been confirmed by independent testing.
