Ukrainian defence tech company Phantom Defense acquires anti-drone net developer, unveils counter-UAV system – photos, videos
Ukrainian defence tech company Phantom Defense has acquired Karakurt, which develops nets designed to ensnare drones, bringing its team on board. The company has also unveiled its new Manhal counter-UAV system.
Source: Phantom Defense in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda
Details: Phantom Defense has signed an agreement to acquire Karakurt in full and integrate its technologies into its own ecosystem.
"The integration of net-based UAV interception technologies into the Phantom Defense ecosystem will enhance protection for frontline units and infrastructure against a range of unmanned threats," the company noted.
The Karakurt system uses a special launcher module to fire a net on an incoming drone. The net tangles around its propellers, preventing them from spinning freely and bringing the drone down.
Phantom Defense says Karakurt's nets can bring down enemy drones without blowing them up, leaving the aircraft intact for Ukrainian defence forces to examine or potentially put to use.
According to the company, drone nets are also cheaper to produce and maintain than anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems, allowing them to be deployed widely among units along the line of contact.
The use of drone nets also helps minimise the risk of collateral damage caused by explosions and debris. The company says this makes the technology suitable for defending critical infrastructure and civilian facilities against various drone threats.
Karakurt systems come in several variants, tailored to different drone types and operating conditions. The M3, M4 and A4 models, compatible with DJI Mavic, Matrice and Autel platforms, fire nets downwards to intercept enemy drones lying in wait on rooftops or on the ground.
The FPV and LS variants, meanwhile, are designed for FPV drones and specialised platforms. Their nets are launched forwards, and a built-in mechanism holds the intercepted drone in place. The systems are intended to tackle fast-moving targets.
According to Phantom Defense, Ukrainian military personnel have used more than 50,000 Karakurt kits in the past six months. The company says it has received more than 5,000 video recordings confirming successful interceptions as part of a programme in which it replaces used components free of charge.
Phantom Defense reports that a single State Border Guard Service crew has taken down more than 500 Russian drones using anti-drone nets in just six months.
"The integration of Karakurt into our ecosystem will help address the demand for affordable, effective close-range drone interception systems among military units," said a representative of Phantom Defense.
A Russian drone being intercepted using the Karakurt drone net. Video: Phantom Defense
Under the agreement, Phantom Defense also unveiled Manhal, a close-range drone interception system designed to protect military equipment, fixed positions and unmanned ground vehicles from enemy drones.
Manhal combines artificial intelligence with daylight and thermal imaging cameras to detect aerial threats and recognise targets automatically. According to its developer, the system can launch a net within one second of detecting a target. The net ensnares the drone, bringing its flight to an end.
A Russian drone being intercepted using the Karakurt drone net. Video: Phantom Defense
Each Manhal system is equipped with six net launchers and can intercept drones at distances of 5-15 metres. Its built-in battery provides at least eight hours of autonomous operation. The system can also run on an additional battery module or draw power from the combat vehicle's electrical system.
Background: Ukrainska Pravda previously wrote that the Blade interceptor drone from Phantom Defense has passed the Ministry of Defence's codification process. It is designed to intercept fixed-wing drones and can reach speeds of up to 310 km/h.
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