Ukraine has unveiled a new drone interception system — a compact net launcher equipped with an integrated radar that automatically detects enemy UAVs and fires a net at them. The system was presented on December 4 at the Brave1 Components exhibition.

A representative of AirNet, the company behind the development, shared the details.

The AirNet net-launching system weighs just 780 grams, features a modular design, and can be installed on virtually any drone platform. It operates on a plug-and-play principle: once power is connected and the drone gains more than five meters in altitude, the radar activates automatically. The radar identifies moving objects within its designated sector and determines their three-dimensional coordinates (distance, azimuth, and altitude).

When an enemy UAV approaches within 0.1 to 6 meters, AirNet detects the target inside its engagement zone, analyzes the data, and triggers a pyrotechnic charge. At that moment, the system fires a specialized net to a distance of 5–10 meters, capturing the intruder’s propellers and disabling further movement.

“The operator doesn’t need to calculate timing — the system handles everything automatically,” the company says.

AirNet is activated and controlled through the remote controller of the drone on which it is mounted. Once captured, the enemy drone remains attached, allowing the operator to transport it to a safe location. The transport line can withstand up to 20 kilograms.

If the intercepted UAV poses a risk or exceeds the drone’s lifting capacity, the operator can remotely release the net along with the captured aircraft. After the mission, the operator simply replaces the cartridge containing the net and pyrotechnic component, restoring the system’s readiness for reuse.

Reliability is achieved through extremely simple mechanics: the system contains only two moving parts — the striker for igniting the charge and the weighted projectiles that deploy the net.

“A single shot costs around 50 dollars, but it can disable any propeller-driven drone, including large UAV models,” the developers note.