Ukraine Intercepts Russian Gerbera Drone Using Two Top-Mounted Interceptor-Detection Cameras, Video

Ukrainian drone-interceptor operators from the WU Samurai unit have downed a Russian Gerbera unmanned UAV aircraft that was equipped with two visual-detection cameras intended to spot and evade anti-air drones, Militarnyi reported on September 25.

The unit intercepted the aircraft after identifying the sensors, which were mounted to monitor the airspace for approaching interceptor UAVs. 

Analysis of recent interception footage indicates Russia has begun installing multiple commercial-grade electro-optical sensors on Gerbera airframes—often on the top of the fuselage—to warn of interceptors diving from above, a tactic commonly used by Ukrainian anti-air drones. 

Gerbera is a low-cost, multipurpose Russian platform that has been used as a suicide drone, a reconnaissance asset, and a decoy to dilute Ukrainian air defenses. Open sources describe the type as a simplified Shahed-style design built from inexpensive materials with imported components; reported unit costs are about $10,000. 

The latest downing suggests Russia is adapting Gerbera airframes for better situational awareness against drone-on-drone intercepts, while Ukrainian units continue to refine techniques to detect, pursue, and neutralize these targets in flight.

Earlier, it was reported that Gerbera drones involved in Poland incidents were lightweight foam airframes used as decoys or for reconnaissance and sometimes carried up to five kilograms of explosives, with Polish SIM cards suggesting a recon mission.

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