In a surprising display of ingenuity, Ukraine is turning an unassuming passenger plane into a formidable drone hunter. Meet the Antonov An-28 Cash, a twin-turboprop utility aircraft, now adapted with a terrifyingly effective weapon: the M134 Minigun.
Recently, footage from French television channel TF1 showed one of these modified An-28s in action during a nighttime combat sortie. Pintle-mounted in the cabin door, the six-barrel Gatling-type M134 Minigun, capable of firing up to 6,000 rounds per minute, unleashed a torrent of 7.62mm rounds against Russian Shahed/Geran drones. The aircraft’s high-wing design offers an excellent field of fire, making it perfectly suited for this aerial ambush role.
What’s even more remarkable is the crew. These are not seasoned military pilots but civilian volunteers. They operate primarily at night, guided by air traffic controllers, using infrared cameras and night-vision goggles to spot their elusive targets. Their dedication has paid off handsomely: the aircraft’s fuselage proudly displays 115 painted drone kill marks, with the crew reportedly destroying close to 150 drones in total.
Hunting these enemy drones is fraught with danger. Russian drones are becoming more sophisticated, some now armed with their own anti-aircraft missiles. Yet, the An-28 crews continue their vital work, demonstrating agility and courage. During one mission, they successfully intercepted five drones, waiting for them to be over unpopulated areas before engaging.
This adapted An-28 highlights Ukraine’s multi-layered approach to air defense, from high-tech Western missiles to grassroots solutions. With Russia planning to drastically increase drone production, these unconventional drone hunters are proving to be an efficient, flexible, and crucial part of the effort to protect Ukrainian skies.
Source: https://www.twz.com/air/watch-ukraines-minigun-firing-drone-hunting-turboprop-in-action
