Net Gun / Net Launcher
Physical BarrierOpen-Source Referenced
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 detailsi
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 USVNoneContainerized Swarm Launcher / Modular Launch PodNone