A US startup claims to have built a Shahed-style interceptor drone from scratch in under two weeks. IMPACT Drones, the company behind the project, has already produced a working prototype, according to its leadership team.
The project arrives at a moment when cheap, long-range attack drones increasingly shape battlefield dynamics around the world. Western militaries and private firms continue hunting for affordable countermeasures.
The new system goes by the name SABLE. It features a delta-wing airframe that deliberately mirrors the silhouette of Iranian-designed Shahed drones, enabling it to blend in with adversary formations.
Co-founder Alessandro Fiume cites a turbine propulsion system capable of pushing the aircraft to roughly 750 kilometers per hour, or 466 miles per hour. That speed would let operators pursue and destroy incoming threats across extended distances.
The rapid development timeline underscores a broader industry shift toward accelerated prototyping. Small defense startups now compete to field hardware faster than traditional contractors.
IMPACT Drones has yet to disclose production costs, testing data, or potential military customers. The company’s announcement focuses on the prototype’s existence and its aerodynamic approach.
As drone warfare evolves, interceptors like SABLE could become standard equipment for bases, convoys, and critical infrastructure. The next phase will likely involve live-fire demonstrations and independent verification of performance claims.
