GBAD - The return of 'FOBS'

[Kirkhill]

And to put into perspective the sheer scale of the UAV threat in Ukraine:

Ukraine intercepts record 33,000 Russian drones in March

Ukraine's drone interceptor fleet destroyed more than 33,000 enemy unmanned aerial vehicles in March, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Wednesday — double the number taken down the previous month and the highest monthly total recorded since the program's launch. Fedorov

defence-blog.com

But as always, as the defenders get better the attackers come up with improved weapons...

And this comment about the fundamental difference between AD missiles and interceptor drones:

I have serious concerns that we haven't really wrapped our heads around the UAV threat. Our AD plans seem still to be stuck in the too expensive and too few frame of mind.

I am having trouble wondering why, if it is possible to fly an electrically powered vehicle into another for $1000 dollars using AI targeting systems why it isn't possible to do the same with jet and rocket powered vehicles at similar costs.

These are Ukraine’s $1,000 interceptor drones the Pentagon wants to buy

Ukraine spent years perfecting cheap drone killers. After burning through billions in missiles in three days, the U.S. and its allies are asking for help.

www.militarytimes.com

 

[Kirkhill]

I am having trouble wondering why, if it is possible to fly an electrically powered vehicle into another for $1000 dollars using AI targeting systems why it isn't possible to do the same with jet and rocket powered vehicles at similar costs.

These are Ukraine’s $1,000 interceptor drones the Pentagon wants to buy

Ukraine spent years perfecting cheap drone killers. After burning through billions in missiles in three days, the U.S. and its allies are asking for help.

www.militarytimes.com

No sooner said than done....

UK MoD Places Order for Skyhammer Low-Cost Air Defence System, First Deliveries Next Month

Cambridge Aerospace, an emerging UK manufacturer, will deliver a 'significant number' of its low-cost Skyhammer air defence systems, designed to counter

theaviationist.com

A jet powered interceptor drone with a 30 km range and a speed of 700 km/h.

Skyhammer ready to destroy Shaheds as MOD sends air defence system to Middle East

The Skyhammer counter-UAV system can also intercept low-speed missiles such as those that have been launched by Iran

www.forcesnews.com

Presumably Skyhammer is the littl'un on the left pursuing the Shahed on the right.

Lots of people running really fast right now.

 

[Kirkhill]

Based on reports from early April 2026, the Skyhammer interceptor drone, developed by British start-up Cambridge Aerospace, is aimed at a cost of £20,000 – £30,000 per unit.
UK Defence Journal
Designed specifically to counter Shahed-style, slow-flying attack drones, the Skyhammer is a high-subsonic, turbojet-powered system designed to be a cost-effective alternative to expensive air defense missiles.
Reddit +1
Key Price and Background Information:

• Target Cost: Cambridge Aerospace CEO Steven Barrett has stated the interceptors would cost in the "low tens of thousands," allowing them to compete with the price of the targets they destroy.
• Production & Procurement: The UK Ministry of Defence has contracted to supply Skyhammer interceptors, with deliveries scheduled to start in May 2026.
• Performance: The Skyhammer flies at roughly Mach 0.7 (about 700 km/h) and has a range of about 30 km, making it effective against slower "kamikaze" drones.
• Context: While significantly more expensive than small, manual Ukrainian $1,000-$2,500 FPV interceptor drones (like the "Sting" or "P1-SUN"), the Skyhammer is designed for higher-speed, automated interception compared to those smaller, pilot-guided options.
  Bloomberg +5

Note: The "Skyhammer" mentioned in the April 2026 defense contract is a specialized kinetic interceptor developed by Cambridge Aerospace, not to be confused with general commercial drones that might have similar names.
....

That puts them into the same price bracket as the APKWS II but still 10x more expensive (an order of magnitude greater) than the Ukrainian Sting-type interceptors, some of which are also manufactured in the UK

These are Ukraine’s $1,000 interceptor drones the Pentagon wants to buy

Ukraine spent years perfecting cheap drone killers. After burning through billions in missiles in three days, the U.S. and its allies are asking for help.

www.militarytimes.com