General Cherry launches academy for interceptor drone pilots

On 1 October, the Ukrainian defence tech company General Cherry announced the launch of its own training programme for interceptor drone pilots. At the General Cherry Academy, trainees will acquire piloting skills and learn to provide operational support to units countering enemy UAVs.

The academy will train drone operators to shoot down strike and reconnaissance UAVs using the flagship Ukrainian interceptor drone, the General Cherry AIR. These drones were created in response to the need to neutralise Russian reconnaissance UAVs that directed strikes, including against civilian targets. The company says the General Cherry AIR has already destroyed thousands of enemy reconnaissance and strike drones.

The head of the academy is Oleksandr “Drakar” – a serviceman, war veteran, and strategic development adviser at General Cherry. The training is primarily aimed at soldiers already deployed in high-intensity sectors of the frontline who need strengthened air defence, as well as mobile air defence groups engaged in neutralising Shaheds threatening Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

The General Cherry Academy will operate with mobile training teams that will travel to brigades to provide hands-on training with interceptors, demonstrations, and support sessions. In essence, it is a streamlined course focused on practice: FPV-interceptor piloting, tactics of use, basic diagnostics, and maintenance.

Applications for training at the academy are being accepted via email at admin@gencherry.com.