Ukraine Develops AI-Controlled Turrets To Shoot Down Drones Using Fibre Optics.

Kyiv; May 2026: The Ukrainian military has deployed a new AI-controlled turret from a Brave1 platform participant in combat conditions to intercept enemy drones. This was reported by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Head Of The Ministry, Mykhailo Fedorov.

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, UKRAINE – Turrets with artificial intelligence from a member of the Brave1 platform are against fibre-optic drones. Such drones cannot suppress electronic warfare. Therefore, Ukraine has learned to shoot them down. The system autonomously detects the drone, accompanies the target and calculates the trajectory. The operator confirms the defeat at the touch of a button.

MYKHAILO FEDOROV – “We are developing small air defence: an AI turret for intercepting enemy UAVs, those are been used in combat by the enemy in the line of combat and frontline territories. To protect the military and civilians, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is developing the direction of ‘small’ air defence”, while further adding, “One of the new technological solutions is a Ukrainian AI turret from the Brave1 participant. The system autonomously detects, tracks, and calculates the trajectory of an enemy UAV. The operator only has to confirm the damage at the touch of a button. It is important that the technology makes it possible to destroy even fibre-optic drones that are not vulnerable to electronic warfare”.

The first to use the turret in combat conditions against enemy UAVs are the soldiers of the K-2 brigade. Today, the solution is already being used in more than 10 units in key areas of the front. The first to use a turret against enemy fibre-optic UAVs were soldiers of the K-2 brigade. Today, these weapons work in 10+ units. The key task is to scale the solution faster than the enemy changes its technologies. Practical use in combat conditions confirmed the system’s ability to effectively detect and shoot down enemy aircraft. The next stage of the project will be scaling up the solution and strengthening ‘small’ air defence units.

The new weapon is already in use in more than ten units on key sections of the front line. The system allows for the destruction of drones using fibre-optic cables, which remain invulnerable to electronic warfare measures. The artificial intelligence component of the system autonomously detects the target, tracks it, and calculates its flight path. The operator simply confirms the hit with a single push of a button after automatic targeting.

In Ukraine, the SpaceRay SA handheld tracking and guidance system was developed for Ukraine’s mobile air defence groups. The Technological Forces of Ukraine said that it helps to shoot down Russian Shaheds more effectively. Currently, more than 50 units are already using the SpaceRay system.

The complex combines a thermal imaging sensor, a laser designator and a 07-inch monitor. It makes it possible to detect attack UAVs, in particular Shahed-136, Geranium and Gerbera, at a long distance and “illuminate” them for weapons. Laser target marking allows machine gunners and anti-aircraft gunners to see the enemy at a distance of up to 05 kilometres even in complete darkness.

The complex also provides clear guidance of interceptor drones at a distance of up to 12 km, accompanying them directly to the target. The system works effectively parri passu in extreme conditions ranging from -25°C to +45°C.

SpaceRay SA reiterates that learning how to operate the complex takes only 30 minutes of instruction and a few hours of practice. “The device fulfills its task 100%. The use of two complexes at the same time allows the group to mark the target with the crosshairs of lasers, which greatly simplifies the work of shooters without night vision devices”.

Team Maverick.