The potential misuse of small drones for a wide range of illegal and criminal activities is becoming a nightmare for security forces around the world. Affordable and now widely available, remotely piloted drones can do more than invade celebrities’ privacy: they are also used to smuggle drugs and mobile phones into prisons, and even to attack energy infrastructure and carry out other acts of terrorism. How can we defend against them?
Although combining electronic jamming with shotgun fire is the most effective approach, it cannot be used everywhere. At airports and in the surrounding areas, for example, jammers risk interfering with civilian radio frequencies, while in densely populated areas shotgun fire poses a safety risk. Net guns therefore offer an excellent alternative. They provide an affordable, mechanical and non-lethal way to neutralise drones. Once fired, the strong net reliably entangles the drone’s propellers, safely preventing further flight.
Net guns work on a very simple principle. The kinetic energy of compressed gas (usually CO₂) or a pyrotechnic cartridge launches a square capture net from a special canister. The net opens as it leaves the canister, with lead weights at its corners spreading it over an area of several square metres. The intruding drone’s propellers become entangled in the net, causing it to fall to the ground.
Droptec GmbH, based in Chur, Switzerland, manufactures top-quality weapons in this category. Its most advanced model, the Dropster 3.0, features compact dimensions, low weight and very simple operation. Resembling a large flare pistol fitted with a folding wire stock, this net gun can be made ready to fire in moments. Simply unfold the shoulder stock, screw the net canister onto the threaded muzzle, insert the propelling cartridge into the chamber, and it is ready to fire – operation could hardly be simpler. A red-dot sight allows the operator to aim with both eyes open.
The weapon has an optimum engagement distance of 50 metres and is used to neutralise drones primarily by police officers, military site guards, prison security staff and personnel protecting critical infrastructure. GLOMEX Military Supplies is the supplier of Dropster 3.0 net guns in the Czech Republic.
Technical specifications
• Operating range: 25–60 m
• Propulsion: .308 (7.62 × 51 mm) blank cartridges
• Net canister: dimensions Ø 5.5 × Ø 7 × 15 cm; weight 550 g
• Capture net dimensions: 240 × 240 cm
• Ready-to-use weight: approximately 2.55 kg (with net canister fitted)
• Dimensions: weapon length 54 cm; 67 cm with net canister fitted