Jet “Shaheeds”: Is the Air Defense Able to Cope with the New Danger?

The Russians are actively using a new tactic of terrorist attacks – choosing one specific city and launching many air targets there at once. At the same time, they have also begun to involve new jet “shaheeds”, which are out of reach for some air defense systems due to their speed.

This opinion was expressed on the air of “Pryamoy” by Valery Romanenko, an aviation expert, leading researcher at the State Aviation Museum.

“These methods of striking have been used for a month, starting with Odessa. Remember when the seaport of Odessa was struck, exclusively in one city? Then they tried it in Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and other cities, and also tried such strikes on Kyiv several times. Despite the fact that a large number of drones are flying, the percentage of shooting down is quite high. For example, today 93% in total across Ukraine, according to a report by the press service of the Air Force. Even if the Russians launch 300-400, and sometimes even 700 drones, the effectiveness of shooting down remains quite high,” Romanenko noted.

At the same time, he reported that the Russians have probably also started using jet “Shaheeds”. “Perhaps this is an innovation for the Russians. For example, on the 30th there was information that eight such jet “Shaheeds” were used in the southern direction. This has not been confirmed yet, but there is such a new moment. In general, the fact that they choose one city and do not disperse strikes throughout Ukraine is almost the standard and has been going on for almost two months,” the aviation expert added.

He also explained how jet “Shaheds” differ from conventional ones, as well as the new dangers posed by this type of drone. “They differ in their engine and, accordingly, their speed. If a conventional “Shahed” with an MD-550 piston engine flies at a maximum speed of 200 km/h, then the jet “Shahed”, based on the Iranian prototype, can reach a speed of 500 km/h,” Romanenko noted.

“The danger is that for mobile groups and for most anti-shahed complexes, such as the Vampire, or our mobile groups, or anti-aircraft mobile groups with light artillery without radar or optoelectronic guidance, these “shaheds” are unreachable due to their speed. They are also unreachable for anti-aircraft drones. But so far, today and yesterday, only eight such shaheds have been used. In a pinch, anti-aircraft missiles can also be used against them,” the aviation expert noted.

According to him, portable anti-aircraft missile systems, in particular, can be effective in the fight against rocket-propelled grenades.

“If the altitude allows, then MANPADS will work much more effectively on a reactive “shahid” than on a conventional one, because there is a heat source there, and MANPADS are guided by thermal radiation. This is the first option. If the “shahids” fly low, then this will be a convenient target for fighter aircraft. Our fighters, especially Western models, simply shoot them down with cannons. So I don’t see such a crazy, terrible, inevitable threat,” summed up Valeriy Romanenko, a leading researcher at the State Aviation Museum.

As is known, on the night of Thursday, July 31, Russian troops carried out a combined attack on Kyiv , using missiles and drones. As a result of the strike, significant destruction was recorded in several areas of the capital, there were deaths and dozens of injuries. According to preliminary information, the Russians involved jet “shaheeds” in the attack .

Earlier it became known that Russian “Shaheed” drones began to perform complex maneuvers in flight to avoid being hit by Ukrainian interceptor drones .

Recall that the Russian troops may soon begin using updated “Shaheds”, which are capable of being controlled in real time . Instead of a pre-set flight route, there is manual control and coordination between several aircraft in the air.

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