A hobby computer, a cheap airframe and a Russian jet drone: how Zirka's upgrade scored its kill
The upgraded Zirka interceptor drone has shot down a Russian jet-powered drone. Its software finds, tracks and guides the drone to the target, so the crew mostly manages closing speed.
Euromaidan Press reports that the upgraded Zirka interceptor drone has brought down a Russian jet drone in the war in Ukraine. According to the article's headline, the system is built around a hobby-grade computer and a cheap airframe.
How the system works
The interceptor's vision software detects the target on its own, tracks it and steers the drone toward it. That leaves the crew mostly responsible for managing the closing speed.
The source gives very few further details. It does not say when or where the interception took place, who developed the drone, or which Russian drone was shot down, so those questions remain unanswered.
Why it matters
The report shows that relatively cheap interceptors with automated target guidance are being used against Russian jet-powered drones in Ukraine.
