“May every drone be snagged”: field test of net-launchers by Blue Bird Tech!

Speaker 1

This is a countermeasure against FPV drones, the "Chipa" net-launcher. It is designed to fire a net toward a drone and entangle the propellers to make further movement of the drones impossible. It consists of two main components. These are the handle, a countermeasure against FPV drones, the "Chipa" net-launcher, with a safety pin, a launch mechanism, and a tube with a net. We fold the net in a specific way. Because of this, we have such an elongated construction. A pyrotechnic cartridge is installed inside, which pushes the net toward the drone using the energy of powder gases. The net, when unfolded, measures approximately 3×3 meters. Weights are installed along the edges of the net, and they stretch the net during flight. Its flight range is 25 meters, but it must be taken into account that this range is affected by many external factors, such as the drone's speed, wind, and the drone's direction of movement. Therefore, during our field trials, we concluded that its most effective use is from 10 to 20 meters. We developed it primarily so that every ordinary citizen could use it. It has a very simple design and intuitive use. That is, no special skills are needed for its application. You need to pull the pin, aim toward the threat, and pull the trigger. We have a conclusion from the NDKC that this is not a firearm, therefore it is in free sale, so anyone can buy it. The idea and development itself did not take as much time as the tests did, specifically the technology of folding the net, the weight of the weights, the calculation of how it would fly, and how it would open, because a lot of time had to be spent on experiments and the use of different materials at each of these stages. This issue arose for us as soon as we saw the use of fiber-optic FPV drones, because before that, EW systems worked effectively and could jam—these were both stationary and portable systems—but when fiber optics appeared, we realized that this would not be enough and decisions had to be made very quickly. Therefore, the decision to develop net-launchers was made. We always cooperate with military units, receive feedback about them, and always work on improving the design. And even now, the development of the next iterations is ongoing, in which we are already taking into account all these comments, as we have already had some suggestions for improvement today, such as installing a sight, for example.

Speaker 2

Please tell me more about such systems. Because your company has Chuika, as usual for detection, and a net-launcher. Are you working on means for the automated triggering of net-launchers, for example, for protecting equipment, protecting infrastructure, and whatever else? Are there any such developments?

Speaker 1

Yes, of course, we are working on this. This is very relevant at the moment. We have a request for it and already have some developments in this area. Because we position all our products as comprehensive protection and emphasize that no single means can guarantee full protection. And they all need to be used in combination. And then, let's say, it's like a scoring scale, where the more icons we have in the car, the more protected we are. This is, of course, a joke, but it is, of course, like one of the stages of protection.

Speaker 3

Generally, when on combat missions, this is used within a couple of months, a couple of times for sure, since we are in such a hot spot where enemy drones often fly and we constantly need to pass through certain zones where they fly. And you need to somehow not expose yourselves to ensure safety for yourself and your comrades. This is movement or, perhaps, protecting some position of your own, exiting and entering a position. This is one of the main tasks of such heavy equipment—to enter and exit. It is desirable for everyone to have this, so that everyone is equipped, so that if they can't operate on the first try, they can on the second, on the third, and the more [of them there are], the faster they can suppress FPVs or various drones of this type.

Speaker 2

In your usual application, how much do you have with you?

Speaker 3

Generally, one for each serviceman, in a group of four to five people. And everyone has one. Thus, there is usage. Generally, if it is a radio-controlled drone, then with the help of a detector, which sees it already from a couple of kilometers away, because that's how we, we understand, see the terrain and, perhaps, even see the local area on that camera, that's if it is a radio drone. If it is on fiber optics, we visually realize that it is not our drone and it is located not in this zone; our drones don't fly there, in principle. Either it is a detector or an acoustic one, we

Speaker 1

we just see.

Speaker 3

It just becomes automatic when you use it every day or train for it, but you can already feel it for yourself; once you've arrived, you already understand that you need to fire at 20 meters and then everything works. This is a second auxiliary weapon, a main one that can be used. A pump can simply be inconvenient at some point. Its use can be more compact and more practical. There is nothing complicated about it. It's not such precise shooting that you need to hit exactly; just fire in the direction of the drone. I think it will hit it and shoot it down.

Speaker 1

She about ten we

Speaker 3

They have already been used. We definitely shot down about 10 drones, and there was usage. This all needs to be done more within some probable cover to ensure your safety, so that you can run back. When this happens somewhere in a field, you should at least lower yourself as much as possible at that moment and take the shot. You need to be at least 5 meters away from it.

Speaker 1

Chipua borrowed this name from our Polish neighbors. You can easily find the translation of this name on the Internet. I want to say one thing: may every drone get a "chipua".