The Shunkor-8 anti-drone system was unveiled in Uzbekistan.

The Shunkor-8 anti-drone interceptor unveiled in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) —

The Center for Innovative Technologies under the Agency for Defense Industry of Uzbekistan unveiled the Shunkor-8 anti-drone interceptor, designed to combat unmanned aerial vehicles. The project has received approval from the President of Uzbekistan and is being prepared for serial production.

Bilolkhon Ismailov, an engineer at the Center for Innovative Technologies, is the developer of the Shunkor-8. According to him, one of the key advantages of the project is its cost-effectiveness.

According to the developer, standard kamikaze drones are capable of striking targets at a distance of up to 2,000 km at an average speed of 130-180 km/h. Their cost ranges from US$20,000 to US$50,000. Meanwhile, the anti-missiles of conventional air defense systems used to destroy such targets cost between US$2 million and US$4 million per unit.

"To address this imbalance, we have developed an interceptor that is 900 times cheaper than air defense missiles, and the localization rate of its production is currently 45%," said Bilolkhon Ismailov.

The Shunkor-8 has a maximum speed of 450 km/h, a range of 8-10 km, and an airborne endurance of 10-15 minutes. The maximum payload is up to 1 kg. This payload can be a kinetic energy strike or an explosive.

The Shunkor-8 is designed as an octocopter with the ability to take off and land vertically, as well as maneuver horizontally.

The system works in conjunction with radar stations. After detecting a target, the data is transmitted to the operator, who launches the interceptor.

The enemy UAV is intercepted directly in the air, either by a kinetic energy strike or by detonating the warhead.

To date, the Shunkor-8 has successfully passed tests at the testing grounds in Chirchik, Aranchi and Kattakurgan.