KB Tekhnari Presents Jet-Powered Interceptor for Shahed Drones

Ukrainian defense company KB Tekhnari has developed a reusable jet-powered drone designed to intercept and destroy high-speed aerial threats such as the Shahed-136.

The drone, known as Mangust (Mongoose), is an aircraft-type unmanned system equipped with a jet engine and automatic homing capabilities, according to KB Tekhnari executive director Hennadii Suldin, who spoke to Defender Media.

Engineered to strike targets mid-air, the drone uses a thermal-seeking guidance system to identify and engage drones such as Iran’s Shahed-136 (also known as Geran-2 in Russia).

Upon approach, Mangust fires a shotgun-style charge aimed at the engine or propeller of the enemy UAV. The company says the system is capable of continuing its mission or returning for refueling and rearming after an intercept.

According to the developers, the drone can reach speeds of 300–310 km/h, sufficient to intercept current versions of Shahed-136. It has a maximum altitude of 5,000 meters and a combat radius of around 12 kilometers.

Suldin noted that the Mangust’s current performance would also be adequate for intercepting future iterations of Shahed, though Russia is reportedly working on a jet-powered version capable of cruising at 500 km/h.

To support its homing system, the company has developed a proprietary thermal-tracking guidance module. The drone can visually detect targets at a distance of 800 meters, activating auto-guidance at 150–200 meters. Once locked, it no longer requires operator input, Suldin said.

Mangust uses a multi-barrel shotgun capable of disabling enemy drones by targeting their propulsion systems. KB Tekhnari claims this will be sufficient to bring down Russian-Iranian UAVs.

After engaging a target, Mangust can remain airborne to pursue additional threats, then return to base to be refueled and reloaded.
While the company has not disclosed pricing details, Suldin assures the drone becomes more cost-effective than single-use interceptors if it neutralizes 10-12 targets during its service life.

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According to Suldin, KB Tekhnari has completed the first squadron of Mangust interceptors and is preparing to hand over the mock-ups to Ukraine’s air defense brigades.