Russia has begun testing a new anti-drone system that combines a guidance system and first-person view (FPV) with a rocket engine, Defence Blog reports.
The novelty was developed by the Vector group. In fact, it is a disposable, manually controlled interceptor drone that is launched using a launch tube and a solid-fuel accelerator.
Once launched, operators use goggles to guide the missile-like drone towards the UAV during flight. The weapon is designed to bridge the gap between traditional ground-to-air systems and address the need for flexible, low-cost solutions on the frontline.
The launch tube itself is made using 3D printing technology. It can be reloaded.
The interceptor missile has a modular design, it is also printed on a 3D printer. The FPV camera and antenna are located at the front, and a removable solid-fuel booster is installed at the rear. The overall shape is aerodynamic and resembles a small rocket.
Once launched, the rocket-powered drone enters a guided flight mode, allowing the operator to visually track the drones they want to engage in real-time. This manual guidance system gives the operator direct control during the interception and also allows them to avoid relying on GPS or other systems.
The novelty, as the publication notes, has not yet entered service.
It was previously reported that the Czech Republic introduced the JWI-4000 interceptor drone, capable of destroying Shaheds. This drone can take off vertically.