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Old Skydiving Plane Becomes Drone-Killing Machine
4 May
Summary
- Volunteers use a modified skydiving plane to hunt Russian drones.
- A machine gun fires up to 3,000 rounds per minute at drones.
- Each drone kill costs $500 in ammunition, a cost-effective tactic.
Civilian volunteers in Ukraine have transformed an old skydiving plane into a sophisticated drone hunter to combat Russia's aerial assaults. This repurposed aircraft is fitted with an American-made machine gun capable of firing up to 3,000 rounds per minute.
Each successful drone interception costs around $500 in ammunition. This strategy is significantly more economical than the tens of thousands of dollars for each Iranian-designed Shahed drone or the millions required for surface-to-air missiles.
Led by Valerey Slipkan, who lost his son early in the invasion, the crew operates under the directive of Ukraine's air defense coordinators. Since mid-2025, civilians exempt from military service have been authorized to participate in drone defense efforts.
Their co-pilot, an aerobatic world champion, uses the Soviet-era AN-28, formerly a civilian skydiving plane. This experimental unit is seen as a scalable blueprint for Ukraine's defense against the tens of thousands of drones Russia has deployed.
The team prioritizes shooting down drones over unpopulated areas, adhering to safety regulations. They remain on 24/7 call, with missions frequently subject to last-minute changes or cancellations due to evolving battlefield conditions.
