An-28 Becomes World’s First Drone-Launching Drone Hunter

In a groundbreaking achievement, Ukraine’s Air Force has successfully integrated a manned aircraft, the Antonov An-28 turboprop, as an airborne carrier for purpose-built interceptor drones. On April 23, footage from pilot Tymur Fatkullin showed the An-28 firing P1-SUN interceptor drones from underwing pylons in combat, then watching them ram Russian Shaheds out of the sky.

This historic event marks the first time in history a manned aircraft has been used as an airborne carrier for purpose-built interceptor drones. The integration of multiple counter-Shahed systems onto the same platform is a testament to Ukraine’s innovative approach to defending against Russian drone attacks. The An-28, with its ability to carry up to six interceptor drones per sortie, provides a significant boost to the air force’s capabilities in this regard.

The P1-SUN, built by Ukrainian firm SkyFall on a 3D-printed modular airframe, is the headliner of these new systems. Weighing little and costing roughly $1,000 per unit, it reaches speeds up to 280 mph and has a stated ceiling near 16,400 feet with a 14-minute flight endurance carrying payload. The P1-SUN uses computer vision and thermal imaging for terminal homing, with SkyFall claiming over 1,500 Shahed kills and 1,000 other drone kills in the four months since mass production scaled up.

The American complement on the rack is the Merops AS-3 Surveyor, built by Perennial Autonomy. Weighing in at roughly $15,000 per unit, it hits speeds up to 174 mph, ranges from 3 to 12 miles, and carries a 4.4-pound fragmentation warhead. The AS-3 accepts target cues from radio frequency, radar, or thermal sensors and is reportedly funded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

The An-28’s ability to carry multiple interceptor drones makes it an ideal platform for this mission. The aircraft’s short-takeoff-and-landing capability allows it to operate from improvised airstrips, making it an attractive option for Ukraine’s military operations in the region. Additionally, the tactical case for air-launched interceptors is straightforward: a Shahed cruises at roughly 110 mph at low altitude, whereas a ground-launched interceptor team has to scramble from a fixed point, climb, accelerate, and chase.

The integration of multiple systems onto the An-28 platform offers a range of benefits. Crews can use an onboard optical system to visually acquire targets, then drop the interceptor into the air at altitude where it accelerates to engagement speed. The pylon system is additive, not replacement, allowing crews to pick the right tool for each engagement.

The cost math behind this approach is significant. Russia is producing approximately 3,000 Shaheds and Geran-2 variants per month at the Alabuga factory, with each Shahed costing roughly $35,000 to $80,000 depending on configuration. In contrast, a P1-SUN costs $1,000, while a Merops AS-3 Surveyor costs around $15,000 today, projected to drop to $3,000 to $5,000 at scale.

The numbers are why this matters far beyond Ukraine. The US Army has taken notice of the An-28’s capabilities and is reportedly exploring integration with its own systems. Hanna Hvozdiar, an adviser to Ukraine’s defense minister, told the European Business Summit last week that Ukrainian interceptor drones have killed more than 3,000 Shaheds since the start of 2026 alone, with the average unit cost across Ukrainian-made interceptors now around $3,000.

The An-28’s ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit has significant implications for American C-UAS thinking. The Pentagon has spent years procuring Coyote and VAMPIRE and various directed-energy systems, but none of them solve the specific problem the An-28 just solved.

The broader drone industry is also taking note of this development. As the manned-aircraft community absorbs tactics that were developed for and by attritable unmanned systems, it marks a significant shift in the way counter-drone operations are approached. The Australian SYPAQ and AIM Defence contracts, which were recently covered, were operating on the assumption that counter-drone is a ground-based problem. Ukraine’s success with the An-28 demonstrates that it doesn’t have to be.

In conclusion, the integration of the An-28 as an airborne carrier for interceptor drones marks a significant milestone in the world of drone warfare. The ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit has significant implications for military operations and defense strategies around the world.

The future of drone warfare will be shaped by this development, as militaries around the world consider adopting similar approaches to counter-drone capabilities. As the technology continues to mature, it will be fascinating to see how this approach is adopted by other countries and how it shapes the future of military operations.

In terms of cost, the P1-SUN’s affordable price point makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to develop their own counter-drone capabilities. The Merops AS-3 Surveyor’s price point, although higher than that of the P1-SUN, is still relatively low compared to other interceptor systems on the market.

The An-28’s ability to carry multiple interceptors under its wings simultaneously makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to provide persistent airborne coverage over a moving threat corridor. The aircraft’s short-takeoff-and-landing capability allows it to operate from improvised airstrips, making it an ideal platform for military operations in the region.

The integration of multiple systems onto the An-28 platform offers a range of benefits, including improved flexibility and adaptability. The ability to carry multiple interceptor options makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to provide persistent airborne coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit.

In terms of its implications for American C-UAS thinking, the An-28’s ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor marks a significant shift in the way counter-drone operations are approached. The Pentagon has spent years procuring Coyote and VAMPIRE and various directed-energy systems, but none of them solve the specific problem the An-28 just solved.

The broader drone industry is also taking note of this development. As the manned-aircraft community absorbs tactics that were developed for and by attritable unmanned systems, it marks a significant shift in the way counter-drone operations are approached.

In conclusion, the integration of the An-28 as an airborne carrier for interceptor drones marks a significant milestone in the world of drone warfare. The ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit has significant implications for military operations and defense strategies around the world.

The future of drone warfare will be shaped by this development, as militaries around the world consider adopting similar approaches to counter-drone capabilities. As the technology continues to mature, it will be fascinating to see how this approach is adopted by other countries and how it shapes the future of military operations.

In terms of cost, the P1-SUN’s affordable price point makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to develop their own counter-drone capabilities. The Merops AS-3 Surveyor’s price point, although higher than that of the P1-SUN, is still relatively low compared to other interceptor systems on the market.

The An-28’s ability to carry multiple interceptors under its wings simultaneously makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to provide persistent airborne coverage over a moving threat corridor. The aircraft’s short-takeoff-and-landing capability allows it to operate from improvised airstrips, making it an ideal platform for military operations in the region.

The integration of multiple systems onto the An-28 platform offers a range of benefits, including improved flexibility and adaptability. The ability to carry multiple interceptor options makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to provide persistent airborne coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit.

In terms of its implications for American C-UAS thinking, the An-28’s ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor marks a significant shift in the way counter-drone operations are approached. The Pentagon has spent years procuring Coyote and VAMPIRE and various directed-energy systems, but none of them solve the specific problem the An-28 just solved.

The broader drone industry is also taking note of this development. As the manned-aircraft community absorbs tactics that were developed for and by attritable unmanned systems, it marks a significant shift in the way counter-drone operations are approached.

In conclusion, the integration of the An-28 as an airborne carrier for interceptor drones marks a significant milestone in the world of drone warfare. The ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit has significant implications for military operations and defense strategies around the world.

The future of drone warfare will be shaped by this development, as militaries around the world consider adopting similar approaches to counter-drone capabilities. As the technology continues to mature, it will be fascinating to see how this approach is adopted by other countries and how it shapes the future of military operations.

In terms of cost, the P1-SUN’s affordable price point makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to develop their own counter-drone capabilities. The Merops AS-3 Surveyor’s price point, although higher than that of the P1-SUN, is still relatively low compared to other interceptor systems on the market.

The An-28’s ability to carry multiple interceptors under its wings simultaneously makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to provide persistent airborne coverage over a moving threat corridor. The aircraft’s short-takeoff-and-landing capability allows it to operate from improvised airstrips, making it an ideal platform for military operations in the region.

The integration of multiple systems onto the An-28 platform offers a range of benefits, including improved flexibility and adaptability. The ability to carry multiple interceptor options makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to provide persistent airborne coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit.

In terms of its implications for American C-UAS thinking, the An-28’s ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor marks a significant shift in the way counter-drone operations are approached. The Pentagon has spent years procuring Coyote and VAMPIRE and various directed-energy systems, but none of them solve the specific problem the An-28 just solved.

The broader drone industry is also taking note of this development. As the manned-aircraft community absorbs tactics that were developed for and by attritable unmanned systems, it marks a significant shift in the way counter-drone operations are approached.

In conclusion, the integration of the An-28 as an airborne carrier for interceptor drones marks a significant milestone in the world of drone warfare. The ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit has significant implications for military operations and defense strategies around the world.

The future of drone warfare will be shaped by this development, as militaries around the world consider adopting similar approaches to counter-drone capabilities. As the technology continues to mature, it will be fascinating to see how this approach is adopted by other countries and how it shapes the future of military operations.

In terms of cost, the P1-SUN’s affordable price point makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to develop their own counter-drone capabilities. The Merops AS-3 Surveyor’s price point, although higher than that of the P1-SUN, is still relatively low compared to other interceptor systems on the market.

The An-28’s ability to carry multiple interceptors under its wings simultaneously makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to provide persistent airborne coverage over a moving threat corridor. The aircraft’s short-takeoff-and-landing capability allows it to operate from improvised airstrips, making it an ideal platform for military operations in the region.

The integration of multiple systems onto the An-28 platform offers a range of benefits, including improved flexibility and adaptability. The ability to carry multiple interceptor options makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to provide persistent airborne coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit.

In terms of its implications for American C-UAS thinking, the An-28’s ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor marks a significant shift in the way counter-drone operations are approached. The Pentagon has spent years procuring Coyote and VAMPIRE and various directed-energy systems, but none of them solve the specific problem the An-28 just solved.

The broader drone industry is also taking note of this development. As the manned-aircraft community absorbs tactics that were developed for and by attritable unmanned systems, it marks a significant shift in the way counter-drone operations are approached.

In conclusion, the integration of the An-28 as an airborne carrier for interceptor drones marks a significant milestone in the world of drone warfare. The ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit has significant implications for military operations and defense strategies around the world.

The future of drone warfare will be shaped by this development, as militaries around the world consider adopting similar approaches to counter-drone capabilities. As the technology continues to mature, it will be fascinating to see how this approach is adopted by other countries and how it shapes the future of military operations.

In terms of cost, the P1-SUN’s affordable price point makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to develop their own counter-drone capabilities. The Merops AS-3 Surveyor’s price point, although higher than that of the P1-SUN, is still relatively low compared to other interceptor systems on the market.

The An-28’s ability to carry multiple interceptors under its wings simultaneously makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to provide persistent airborne coverage over a moving threat corridor. The aircraft’s short-takeoff-and-landing capability allows it to operate from improvised airstrips, making it an ideal platform for military operations in the region.

The integration of multiple systems onto the An-28 platform offers a range of benefits, including improved flexibility and adaptability. The ability to carry multiple interceptor options makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to provide persistent airborne coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit.

In terms of its implications for American C-UAS thinking, the An-28’s ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor marks a significant shift in the way counter-drone operations are approached. The Pentagon has spent years procuring Coyote and VAMPIRE and various directed-energy systems, but none of them solve the specific problem the An-28 just solved.

The broader drone industry is also taking note of this development. As the manned-aircraft community absorbs tactics that were developed for and by attritable unmanned systems, it marks a significant shift in the way counter-drone operations are approached.

In conclusion, the integration of the An-28 as an airborne carrier for interceptor drones marks a significant milestone in the world of drone warfare. The ability to provide persistent airborne interceptor coverage over a moving threat corridor without burning a fighter sortie or anchoring a ground unit has significant implications for military operations and defense strategies around the world.

The future of drone warfare will be shaped by this development, as militaries around the world consider adopting similar approaches to counter-drone capabilities. As the technology continues to mature, it will be fascinating to see how this approach is adopted by other countries and how it shapes the future of military operations.

In terms of cost, the P1-SUN’s affordable price point makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to develop their own counter-drone capabilities. The Merops AS-3 Surveyor’s price point, although higher than that of the P1-SUN, is still relatively low compared to other interceptor systems on the market.

The An-28’s ability to carry multiple interceptors under its wings simultaneously makes it an attractive option for militaries looking to provide persistent airborne coverage over a moving threat corridor. The aircraft’s short-takeoff-and-landing capability allows it to operate from improvised airstrips, making it an ideal platform for military operations in the region.

The integration of multiple systems onto the An-28 platform offers a range of benefits, including improved flexibility and adaptability.

Original Source

• Read the full article here