Interceptor drone Zerov-8: Ukraine's The Fourth Law targets Geran-2/Shahed

The Ukrainian company The Fourth Law specialises in robotic autonomy, currently clearly focused on Ukraine's defence against the Russian invasion. Following the TFL-1 autonomy module for first-person view (FPV) drones, it has now developed an autonomous interceptor drone.

What the interceptor drone is designed to do

The high-speed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is called Zerov-8 and is primarily intended to intercept Geran-2/Shahed drones. The system detects its targets autonomously, using AI to analyse object movements, heat signatures and other parameters. In ideal, high-contrast conditions it acquires targets at up to 1,000 metres, in difficult weather at around 300 metres.

Once a target is acquired, it is marked and tracked steadily without altering the flight path. The drone then determines its approach direction autonomously.

The drone is fitted with a daylight or thermal imaging camera. It is ready for use within 30 seconds, flies at up to 326 km/h and has a range of up to 20 kilometres. Warheads weighing up to 0.5 kilograms can be integrated.

The next development step is integration with external radar systems so that intercept courses are calculated automatically. The interceptor would then receive target coordinates from, for example, Skyguard systems or other air defence control centres.