Ukraine’s 27th Separate National Guard Regiment has used a Sting interceptor drone to down a Russian UAV at an altitude of 7,472 metres, according to Wild Hornets and Ukrainian defence publication The Defence.
The interception was carried out by the “Klever” unit using the Sting interceptor, developed by Ukrainian company Wild Hornets. The company said the engagement set a new altitude record for the system.
The previous record was set in early August, when a Sting interceptor operated by the Security Service of Ukraine’s “Alpha” Special Operations Centre downed a Russian UAV at 6,955 metres, according to The Defence. A further interception at 6,858 metres was subsequently reported by Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service.
The two earlier interceptions involved ZALA Z-20 reconnaissance UAVs, according to The Defence. Ukrainian pilots have reportedly been intercepting such aircraft at altitudes of 6-7km in recent months.
The Sting is a high-speed interceptor designed to engage other unmanned aircraft. Wild Hornets said its Hornet Vision Ctrl remote-control system has also been used by units operating the interceptors.
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Image: Wild Hornets