What are the robotic turrets that are supposed to save Kyiv from jet "Shaheds"?
Robotic fire installations are now supposed to protect the capital from attacks by jet "Shaheds," which the Russian army has been using for over a month to destroy Kyiv's infrastructure. Ukraine is already using this innovative technology at the front. How it works, the BBC Ukrainian service writes .
Automatic turret installed in Kyiv. Photo: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, announced the first experience of using turrets in Kyiv on October 5. A day earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke about it.
According to the president, more than 12 such installations have already been deployed in Kyiv, and another eight automatic combat modules for .50 caliber machine guns are being installed in the Kyiv region.
As Yuriy Ihnat reported, in the capital, turrets are primarily placed on bridges. In recent days, several Russian strikes on Kyiv's Southern and Northern bridges, which connect the right and left banks of the capital, caused damage and effectively stopped transport movement in the city.
Ihnat reported on October 5 that the new installations have already successfully shot down jet "Geran-5" drones.
"There have already been downings of jet 'Geran-5s.' I was skeptical if this was possible, but the application of innovative technologies, AI, eliminated human error; technical calculations work, using machine vision," Ihnat said.
Since the turrets operate automatically, military personnel remind people not to stand near windows during air raid alarms.
The main problem with jet drones is their speed, which is several times higher than that of conventional "Shaheds." Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian air defense currently intercepts conventional "Shaheds" in approximately 85-92% of cases, whereas jet drones are intercepted only half the time or slightly more.
So, how will turrets help?
How it works
A turret, from the French "petite tour" (small tower), is an installation for mounting a machine gun or cannon of various calibers. It rotates horizontally and vertically, allowing the weapon to be aimed at a target.
Equipped with artificial intelligence, turrets independently detect and calculate the trajectory of an enemy drone. All mechanical parts – the rotation of the installation, aiming at the target – happen automatically. The operator only needs to confirm the target engagement with a single button press.
This innovative solution entered service with Ukrainian forces in May of this year. The AI-turret was developed by Ukrainian manufacturers in cooperation with the Brave1 defense innovation cluster and military personnel. The K-2 unit, which actively uses drones and new military technologies, was the first to test the turret in combat.
As the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine reported then, this technology began to be used to protect military personnel from drones in frontline territories and the line of combat engagement. Turrets primarily allowed defense against EW-resistant drones on optical fiber. But they are also effective against fast and maneuvering targets.
Automatic decision-making and rapid parameter calculation allow for quick reaction and opening fire in the direction of air targets, the specialized publication "Militarnyi" explained.
Ukraine uses various types of automated turrets, such as Sky Sentinel or another Ukrainian development, "Khizhаk" ("Predator"). "Khizhаk" can rotate 360 degrees and elevate its weapon up to 75 degrees.
The range of robotic turrets is small, as the main means of engagement remains a machine gun. For example, during tests, the "Khizhаk" turret engaged an FPV drone at a distance of up to 220 meters and recognized it at a distance of up to 250 meters.
The exact type of turrets currently being installed in Kyiv is not reported. Authorities urge residents not to publish photos and videos of anti-aircraft installations, as well as the consequences of shelling. This is because the enemy tracks and analyzes them in this way to adjust subsequent strikes.
As Kyiv City Hall reminded again, it is forbidden to film and publish:
- military objects and equipment movement;
- consequences of missile or drone strikes;
- the work of air defense;
- movement or locations of Armed Forces of Ukraine units and other military formations.