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Net Gun / Net Launcher

Physical BarrierOpen-Source Verified

Launches a weighted net to entangle and capture a drone in flight. Non-destructive method that allows for intelligence gathering from captured intact drones.

How It Works

A compressed air or pyrotechnic launcher fires a weighted net that expands in flight. When it contacts a drone, the net wraps around propellers and airframe, entangling them and causing the drone to fall.

Technical Specifications

range
30-100 m (ground launcher), 200m+ (drone-deployed)
cost
$2,000-$20,000 (launcher), $50-200 per net
deployment Time
Immediate
crew Required
1 operator
weight
5-15 kg (launcher)
power Requirement
None (compressed air/pyrotechnic)

Advantages

  • + Non-destructive — captures drone intact
  • + Intelligence value from captured drones
  • + Low cost per engagement
  • + No electronic signature
  • + Simple to operate
  • + Safe in urban/populated areas

Disadvantages

  • − Very short range
  • − Single shot — must reload
  • − Ineffective against fast or high-altitude drones
  • − Cannot engage large military drones
  • − Limited to small/medium drones

Tactical Deployment Tips

  • ▸ Position at likely low-altitude approach routes
  • ▸ Best for defending specific entry points
  • ▸ Use drone-deployed nets for greater range
  • ▸ Combine with detection systems for early warning

Limitations & Vulnerabilities

  • ⚠ Only effective against small, slow drones at very close range
  • ⚠ Cannot engage fixed-wing or high-speed targets
  • ⚠ Not a viable primary defense system

Drones It Defeats

Drone types ranked by how well this system defeats them — tap any drone for details

Commercial COTS QuadcopterHighMilitary Reconnaissance QuadcopterHighAcoustic-Stealth RotaryHighHeavy-Lift FPV BomberMediumMini ISR Fixed-WingMediumTethered Surveillance DroneMediumCBRN / Hazmat DroneMediumConverted Agricultural Heavy-LiftMediumKinetic Impact / Ramming DroneMediumFPV Kamikaze DroneLowFiber-Optic Guided FPVLowTactical Fixed-Wing UAVLowAI-Autonomous Strike DroneLowVTOL Fixed-Wing HybridLowMicro / Nano DroneLowAdversary Interceptor DroneLowMALE / HALE Strategic UAVNoneSmall Loitering MunitionNoneLarge Loitering MunitionNoneCoordinated Drone SwarmNoneNaval USV / UUVNoneHeavy-Lift Cargo / Resupply UAVNoneJet-Powered UCAVNoneDecoy / Electronic Warfare DroneNoneHigh-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS)NoneWinged Glide MunitionNoneMothership / Carrier UAVNoneOne-Way Attack Cruise DroneNoneSea-Skimming Attack USVNone

Sources & Further Reading

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