A Ukrainian firm has introduced an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) equipped with net launchers designed to trap drones approaching from any direction.
Developed by Kyiv-based SMART BIRDS, the VORON platform uses Pavuk net launchers to defend against first-person view (FPV) drones.
The UGV can carry up to eight launchers, providing all-around protection against incoming threats.
The system can engage targets at ranges of up to 45 meters (148 feet). Each net fully deploys after traveling 5 meters (16 feet), covering a radius of 5 meters (16 feet).
According to the company, the launchers can be reloaded and fired repeatedly, while each two-barrel module weighs 4 kilograms (9 pounds).
A human operator activates the system through a control panel, with an onboard camera providing visual confirmation of targets.
“The equipped net gun has two nets for shooting, installed at different angles relative to the horizon, which allows you to neutralize both the ‘waiting drone’ and the drone on the approach,” a company representative told Mezha Defense.
Multi-Role Platform
Beyond counter-drone operations, SMART BIRDS said the VORON is designed to support logistics, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance, and minelaying missions.
Weighing 120 kilograms (265 pounds), the platform can carry payloads of up to 250 kilograms (550 pounds), or as much as 400 kilograms (882 pounds) over shorter distances.
The UGV has a top speed of 15 kilometers (9 miles) per hour and an operational range of up to 30 kilometers (19 miles) on a single charge.
The VORON is currently undergoing codification for military use, with additional mission modules planned for future integration.
