[dabigv13]

Some more interesting videos.

Here are some videos of Shaheds being intercepted by drones. Achieving cost effective interception is a big deal for durable defense, especially with reduced western support.

https://x.com/wilendhornets/status/20034...68955?s=20

Indeed it is. Unfortunately ground-based FPV drones can't do that. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ukra...39849.html discusses the reasons this is the case. The article does omit one very critical constraint that makes the problem even worse. As has been repeatedly pointed out, ground based drone interception is heavily constrained by geometry. The detection range, either radar or visual, of low flying drones is quite limited. This results in a very limited period of time in which interception is possible. In many cases the target can be detected but there is no feasible intercept course available. Obviously the faster the interceptor drone is the greater the options are. However, high speed with electrically powered drones drastically cuts down the range. It is a very complicated problem.
 
It is possible to use these systems as point defense weapons, but as area defense weapons, they are hopeless. FWIW so are missiles, for similar reasons. Missiles are "better" because of their higher speed, but their ground based sensor's inherent limitations are still the limiting factor.

Clearly they can be effective, as the video shows. The second shahed intercepted even looks to be a jet powered variant, and the drone still gets it. Note that article is from October- this is an area of active development, and we know Ukraine has been working on autonomous targeting as well.

Perhaps FPV drones can't be a sole defense, but their effectiveness is improving and their production and use is expanding.

[dabigv13]

Some more interesting videos.

Here are some videos of Shaheds being intercepted by drones. Achieving cost effective interception is a big deal for durable defense, especially with reduced western support.

https://x.com/wilendhornets/status/20034...68955?s=20

Indeed it is. Unfortunately ground-based FPV drones can't do that. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ukra...39849.html discusses the reasons this is the case. The article does omit one very critical constraint that makes the problem even worse. As has been repeatedly pointed out, ground based drone interception is heavily constrained by geometry. The detection range, either radar or visual, of low flying drones is quite limited. This results in a very limited period of time in which interception is possible. In many cases the target can be detected but there is no feasible intercept course available. Obviously the faster the interceptor drone is the greater the options are. However, high speed with electrically powered drones drastically cuts down the range. It is a very complicated problem.
 
It is possible to use these systems as point defense weapons, but as area defense weapons, they are hopeless. FWIW so are missiles, for similar reasons. Missiles are "better" because of their higher speed, but their ground based sensor's inherent limitations are still the limiting factor.

Clearly they can be effective, as the video shows. The second shahed intercepted even looks to be a jet powered variant, and the drone still gets it. Note that article is from October- this is an area of active development, and we know Ukraine has been working on autonomous targeting as well.

Perhaps FPV drones can't be a sole defense, but their effectiveness is improving and their production and use is expanding.