Ukraine explores airborne net throwers to counter Russian drones
AirNet drone interceptor concept (Photo: www.militarnyi.com)
Ukrainian startup AirNet has built a lightweight, radar-equipped net launcher that detects and neutralizes hostile UAVs, defense news outlet Militarnyi reported on Dec. 4.
Citing company spokespeople, the report described the capabilities of the system. The net launcher, which weighs just 780 grams, uses a modular “plug-and-play” design and can be mounted on virtually any UAV. Once the drone carrying the device ascends above five meters, the onboard radar activates, getting a fix on any airborne objects within its range and sector.
When an enemy target enters a 0.1- to 6-meter engagement zone, the system’s processor triggers a small pyrotechnic charge. That charge propels a nylon net five to ten meters toward the target, entangling the propellers and preventing further flight. According to AirNet, the human operator does not need to time the pulling of the proverbial trigger; the system handles targeting and firing automatically.
“The captured drone remains attached to our UAV, allowing the operator to carry it to a safe location,” a company spokesperson said.
The net filament can support up to 20 kilograms. If the load exceeds the carrier drone’s capacity or poses a danger, the operator can jettison the net along with the enemy aircraft.
A quick replacement of the net cartridge and pyrotechnic round readies the launcher for reuse. AirNet credits the system’s reliability to its simplicity, since it has just two moving parts: a firing pin and weighted projectiles. Each net shot costs about $50 and can disable any propeller-driven drone, including larger UAV models.
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