Net-Carrying Interceptor Drone
KineticOpen-Source Verified
Friendly interceptor UAV that hunts and entangles hostile drones using a deployable net. Provides an attritable, scalable kinetic option against fiber-optic and small autonomous threats that defeat traditional EW.
How It Works
An EO/IR or radar-cued interceptor drone launches on alert, autonomously closes on the threat using AI vision, and deploys a net at terminal range. Caught drone falls or the interceptor descends for recovery.
Technical Specifications
range
5–20 km
cost
$15,000–$80,000 per interceptor
deployment Time
Seconds from alert (always-on rail)
crew Required
1 supervisor for multiple interceptors
weight
5–20 kg
power Requirement
Battery (recharge between sorties)
Advantages
- + Effective against fiber-optic FPVs (no RF dependence)
- + Scalable — many cheap interceptors per launcher
- + Lower collateral than firearms in urban areas
- + Recoverable if net deployment misses
Disadvantages
- − Limited number of engagements per recharge cycle
- − Weather-sensitive optical terminal phase
- − Single-shot net per sortie
- − Slower than gun systems against fast targets
Tactical Deployment Tips
- ▸ Cue from passive RF-detection or AI-vision sensors to keep emissions low
- ▸ Pre-position racks along likely drone ingress corridors
Limitations & Vulnerabilities
- ⚠ Limited against jets and high-speed loitering munitions
- ⚠ Reduced effectiveness in heavy wind/rain
Drones It Defeats
Drone types ranked by how well this system defeats them — tap any drone for details
Commercial COTS QuadcopterHighMilitary Reconnaissance QuadcopterHighFPV Kamikaze DroneHighHeavy-Lift FPV BomberHighFiber-Optic Guided FPVHighAcoustic-Stealth RotaryHighConverted Agricultural Heavy-LiftHighSmall Loitering MunitionMediumAI-Autonomous Strike DroneMediumHeavy-Lift Cargo / Resupply UAVMediumMini ISR Fixed-WingMediumVTOL Fixed-Wing HybridMediumDecoy / Electronic Warfare DroneMediumCBRN / Hazmat DroneMediumAdversary Interceptor DroneMediumTactical Fixed-Wing UAVLowLarge Loitering MunitionLowCoordinated Drone SwarmLowMicro / Nano DroneLowMothership / Carrier UAVLowMALE / HALE Strategic UAVNoneNaval USV / UUVNoneTethered Surveillance DroneNoneJet-Powered UCAVNoneHigh-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS)NoneWinged Glide MunitionNone
⚠ How Adversaries Defeat This System
Active enemy adaptations observed in the field — distinct from passive limitations above
- ▸ High-speed jets and large loitering munitions outrun the interceptor
- ▸ Swarms saturate the limited interceptor inventory
Sources & Further Reading
- ▸ Anduril Anvil-M — interceptor drone product documentation
- ▸ Israeli Smart Shooter / SkyLock net-interceptor reporting (2024)