Video purportedly shows Ukrainian unit running down Russian Shahed. The US is paying attention.

Key Points:

• A Ukrainian drone unit released night-vision footage showing American-made Merops interceptors successfully targeting Iranian-designed Shahed drones, demonstrating the effectiveness of the low-cost weapon in combat.
• The U.S. Army has launched a Low-Cost Interceptor program to develop government-owned drone interceptors costing under $1 million, enabling multiple manufacturers to produce the system and reducing reliance on a single contractor.
• Perennial Autonomy, founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, currently produces Merops interceptors under a $500 million Pentagon contract, but the Army aims to gain production independence through the new program.
• Merops interceptors cost about $15,000 each and have downed over 4,000 Russian drones in Ukraine, offering a cost-effective alternative to expensive Patriot missiles used against Shahed drones.
• Despite its successes, the Merops system has faced technical challenges in some engagements, but remains a key component of NATO and Ukrainian drone defense strategies, with several Eastern European countries now deploying it.