Russia shows off aerial drone that seeks out and takes down enemy targets on its own

Russia has been showing off a new interceptor drone that's capable of recognising and engaging a target on its own.

The interceptor has four propellers located in its mid-section, making it agile, and is equipped with machine vision.

Machine vision is a type of technology that's used to provide imaging-based automatic inspection, analysis and, in this case, hostile engagement.

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The interceptor drone is made by the defence and security section of Russian company Nova Labs.

The company specialises in perimeter and border control, automatic threat detection, target acquisition and tracking.

Equipped with thermal imaging guidance, the interceptor is said to use its advanced machine vision to recognise and zero in on a target.   There are two ways to launch it – one from a manual launcher, the other from a static take-off position using a tripod.

Chatter about it has already begun on social media and Ukrainian forces will be watching that very carefully until they eventually manage to capture one.