Ukraine has begun using a new interceptor drone Alexa Spatium, developed to combat Russian strike drones. The primary threat comes from the fast jet «Gerani», which are posing an increasingly serious challenge to Ukraine’s air‑defence system, writes Defence Blog.
Alexa Spatium was developed by Ukrainian engineers to intercept small aerial, ground and surface targets. According to the manufacturer, its main targets are the Russian jet «Geran-3», «Geran-4» and «Geran-5», as well as the propeller‑driven «Shahed-131». The interceptor can also engage reconnaissance drones, helicopters and other targets. The name of the company that created the system has not been disclosed.
Technical specifications and capabilities
Alexa Spatium measures approximately 1.5 × 1.7 m and is powered by a turbojet engine. It is launched from a mobile catapult, and the entire launch kit can be transported on a pickup truck, with site preparation requiring minimal time.
The airframe is built from lightweight composite materials, enabling sharp manoeuvres. Operators can control Alexa Spatium directly or via pre‑programmed coordinates.
For target detection and tracking, the interceptor employs television and infrared sensors and can carry a variety of warheads – fragmentation, cumulative or thermobaric. The manufacturer states that if a mission is not completed, the device can return to the launch point for reuse.
Increasing threat from Russian jet drones
The new interceptor appears as Russia steps up its use of jet‑powered strike drones. Ukrainian military intelligence reports that the «Geran-3» is equipped with a turbojet engine and can reach speeds of up to 370 km/h, roughly twice the speed of the propeller‑driven «Geran-2», which became Russia’s main long‑range strike drone at the start of the full‑scale war.
Source: UNIAN
