Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine on the development of technological areas of defense, Serhiy Beskrestnov («Flash»), publicly doubted whether anyone even clearly understands what a «jet interceptor» is — despite the fact that both manufacturers and the Ministry of Defense itself have recently announced such developments.
Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine on the development of technological areas of defense, Serhiy Beskrestnov («Flash»), publicly doubted whether anyone even clearly understands what a «jet interceptor» is — despite the fact that both manufacturers and the Ministry of Defense itself have recently announced such developments.
Back in the winter, according to Flesch, at one of the meetings several manufacturers stated that their jet interceptors were already, in fact, ready. On August 21, the Ministry of Defense announced the first addition to the arsenal of the Defense Forces — the Alexa Spatium interceptor drone, called «the first in Ukraine» for intercepting Shahed jets. And on August 30, Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara told reporters that Ukraine now has four potential solutions for shooting down Shahed jets, field tests of which have allegedly already been conducted.
Flash himself has previously been publicly skeptical of these statements, emphasizing that there is still no working solution for jet targets, and currently air defenses mainly shoot down Shahed jets with air-to-air, surface-to-air, and MANPADS missiles — according to his calculations, this accounts for approximately 80% of jet targets shot down.
In a new post, Beskrestnov suggests understanding the terminology literally. He reminds us how existing interceptors like the Pisyuns or Stings work: the pilot, looking into the camera, catches up with a regular gasoline-powered Shahed, gets on its tail and attacks, controlling the interceptor from the remote control like a regular drone. According to his estimate, such an interceptor costs about $1,000. «Everything is clear here,» he notes.
But what is a «jet interceptor» and how should it algorithmically work against a target flying at a speed of 500 km/h, capable of maneuvering, and at an altitude of up to 8 km? This is a question that, according to Flash, no one has a clear answer to.
He offers only two logically possible options — and sees contradictions in both.
The first option is a disposable reactive kinetic weapon with automatic target acquisition. But, Flash notes, this is by definition a missile. And if the product is disposable, it is unclear why it needs a liquid-fueled engine at all.
The second option is a reusable mini-jet fighter UAV. But then it needs weapons — «some guns» — and a full-fledged weapons control system. «It’s like a small F-16,» he concludes.
