Autonomous Air Defense System, Sky Sentinel, Introduced in Ukraine to Counter Increasing Russian Shahed Drone Attacks
Ukrainian innovative warfare artillery: Latest robotic weapon now at the battlefront
Ukraine is responding to the escalating nightly attacks by hundreds of Russian Shahed drones with the deployment of a new autonomous air defense system, Sky Sentinel. The system, which resembles a simple gun turret and operates independently, is expected to provide better protection against the relentless aerial assault.
According to ntv.de, the Russian military has been utilizing hundreds of attacking Shahed drones every night, and the number could potentially increase further. Military expert Colonel Reisner, in an interview with ntv.de, anticipates that Russia might boost its production capacity, potentially reaching 500 Shaheds per day.
Sky Sentinel, often referred to as the "Shahed Catcher" or "Shaheed Killer," is an AI-controlled autonomous turret system designed to counter aerial threats, including Shahed-136 drones and subsonic cruise missiles. The system, once positioned and supplied with radar data, autonomously detects, tracks, and engages aerial targets without human intervention.
The system's potential has caught the attention of the Ukrainian government, which is trying to raise $1.5 million through the United24 official fundraising platform for the deployment of ten Sky Sentinel systems. Each system costs approximately $150,000.
The government describes Sky Sentinel as a promising, budget-friendly alternative to expensive interceptor missiles. It is said to be capable of eliminating not only slow-flying drones like the Shahed-136 but also subsonic cruise missiles. The system's operational range, though classified, is believed to allow it to rotate 360 degrees and effectively engage threats within approximately 1,500 meters.
As Ukraine strives to reinforce its air defense capabilities, the deployment of more than ten Sky Sentinels might be necessary, assuming the system's effectiveness is proven. Currently, Ukraine's air defense is bolstered by Soviet-era and Western systems, including the German Iris-T, the Gepard air defense tank, the Norwegian Nasams, and the F-16 fighter jets. However, the country still struggles to secure adequate numbers of these systems for comprehensive airspace protection.
Source: ntv.de, rog
- Attack on Ukraine
- Wars and Conflicts
- Military
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Weapons
- Air Defense Systems
- Drones
- Air Attacks
- As the frequency of nightly drone attacks increases due to the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, it is essential for Ukraine to enforce a community policy that prioritizes the acquisition of advanced employment policies, such as the deployment of the autonomous air defense system, Sky Sentinel, to protect its citizens.
- In the context of the escalating wars and conflicts, the technological advancements in weapons, like the Sky Sentinel autonomous air defense system, could play a significant role in political negotiations, as they impact the general-news landscape by influencing the balance of power.
