Ukraine’s Defence Forces have added the Alexa Spatium, the country’s first domestically developed jet-powered drone interceptor, to their arsenal, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence announced on August 21.
The drone can operate either using pre-programmed coordinates or under direct guidance. It is also equipped with television and infrared search and targeting systems, as well as control and video transmission systems, the ministry reported.
Depending on the mission, the Alexa Spatium can carry different types of warheads, including high-explosive fragmentation, shaped-charge, and thermobaric variants.
Measuring approximately 1.5 by 1.7 meters, the interceptor can be launched from a mobile catapult within several minutes. Its airframe is made from lightweight, durable composite materials, allowing it to perform sharp maneuvers while maintaining control.
The ministry said the entire system is sufficiently compact to fit into a pickup truck, requires minimal preparation of a launch position, and features a modular design and automated processes.
Another feature of the Alexa Spatium is its potential reusability. If the drone does not engage its intended target during a mission, it can return to its launch area and be deployed again.
According to the Defence Ministry, the interceptor was developed with an emphasis on rapid response, mobility, resistance to challenging operating conditions, and minimal requirements for preparing deployment positions.
Sources: UNITED24MEDIA; Ukraine Ministry of Defence