UK’s X7 drone interceptor tested in Ukraine — it autonomously strikes targets using radar data

British company OM Defence Systems has unveiled the X7 interceptor drone, capable of autonomously engaging enemy UAVs using data from various radars, Defence Blog reports.

The X7 system was showcased during the NATO BATT26 exercises in Latvia, which took place from August 4 to 14. Oliver Anderson, co-founder of OM Defence Systems, stated that the ultimate goal is to eliminate the need for an FPV pilot and allow the operator to control the interception through a ground station. "This is what will allow us to scale the system to protect critical national infrastructure," he said.

According to the report, the ground station can receive target data from multiple radars and other external sensors. Information exchange relies on the SAPIENT standard, which enables the X7 to operate without a dedicated radar system tied exclusively to the interceptor.

The complete system consists of the interceptor drone, a networked launcher, and a ground control station. The X7 is a disposable autonomous interceptor with a top speed exceeding 400 km/h. It is designed to engage drones classified under Groups 1-3, which typically include aircraft weighing up to approximately 600 kg.

In March, the X7 was demonstrated to the British Army, operating in fully autonomous mode. In May, the ground control station was also tested during NATO's TIE26 technical exercises. The drone was designed and developed in the United Kingdom, with testing currently taking place in Europe and Ukraine.

The system is currently at Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL 5) and continues to undergo trials. OM Defence Systems plans to complete development by early 2027.