Ukraine’s Vlhuchnyk company has completed internal testing of its new Zorelit v5 interceptor drone, designed to engage high-speed aerial targets. The drone has a stated maximum speed of 416 km/h and a range of up to 47 km.
This was reported by Militarnyi.
According to the developer, the Zorelit v5 completed a full cycle of internal testing and confirmed its declared tactical and technical characteristics.
“Zorelit v5 has completed a full cycle of testing and is ready for delivery to the troops. We are open to direct contracts with military units as of today, and after codification we will also make the product available through eBaly,” said Stepan Radiboh, director of Vlhuchnyk LLC.
At a cruising speed of around 200 km/h, the interceptor can remain airborne for approximately 17 minutes. The drone is also designed to carry a warhead weighing between 300 and 600 grams.
Designed to intercept jet-powered drones
The Zorelit v5 is intended to intercept aerial targets directly along their flight path.
According to the manufacturer, the drone can be used against reconnaissance UAVs, Russian Gerbera and Geran-2 drones, as well as high-speed jet-powered Geran-3 and Geran-4 UAVs.
Its stated maximum speed should allow the interceptor to engage targets with cruising speeds of up to 300–350 km/h.
The system can be equipped with automatic target detection and highlighting using artificial intelligence algorithms. It also features automated terminal guidance to the target during the final stage of flight.
An additional option is integration with the SkyMap system, which allows the drone to automatically reach the target area and calculate an optimal interception trajectory while taking battery consumption into account.
The manufacturer also says the drone can be controlled remotely and transmit video over the internet.
Based on the combat experience of the Zorelit v4
The new interceptor was developed on the basis of the previous Zorelit v4 version.
According to the company, the v4 has already been successfully used in combat, has been officially adopted for service and has received a NATO Stock Number, or NSN.
Some of the technical solutions tested during the combat use of the previous version were incorporated into the Zorelit v5.
Before delivery to a customer, every interceptor undergoes a test flight. The company keeps video records of the tests and marks each unit, making it possible to track a specific build and the components used in it.
