Whether causing delays at airports or inspiring security concerns at the recent Super Bowl, drones have been getting worrisome press these days. Gizmodo reports that anti-drone technology is on the rise. For example, Echodyne is a drone radar startup that has backing from Bill Gates, Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Navy.
Now, a drone grenade that releases a net to nab drones is in the works, according to the outlet.
The patent application describes how the technology would work:
“As the round nears the target, a signal from a control board activates a servo. The servo pulls on a central lock plunger to release a ball mechanism. This releases the ogive section, which in turn allows the ejection spring means to eject the petals and weights along with the net stowed there within.”
Brian Metzger, TechLink senior tech manager at TechLink, explained to Gizmodo that the grenade “fills a gap for infantry units that don’t have a good way to take down all these modified quadcopters we’re seeing.”
Brian Metzger, TechLink senior tech manager at TechLink, explained to Gizmodo that the grenade “fills a gap for infantry units that don’t have a good way to take down all these modified quadcopters we’re seeing.”
He added that the grenade was made “to work with the 40mm projectile launchers, a weapon platform that’s been used for decades.”
The patent describes its net approach as superior to similar devices, including those that use a larger drone with a net and those that use a drone with a net-shooter.
Metzger told Gizmodo that he thinks these net grenades could be launching soon. “We’re in the process of finding manufacturers who can license the patent and start supplying it,” he said to the outlet. “But the technology is at a high stage of development so it shouldn’t be too long before we see it in production.”