Lviv designer created a unique MITLA net gun against drones: how it works.

According to FREEДOM:

New device for fighting drones

One of the biggest threats to military personnel on the front lines is enemy FPV drones. A designer from Lviv developed a special device to help neutralize such UAVs. Details about its operation were shared by journalists from the FREEДОМ channel.

Device description

The disposable MITLA net gun was created by 3D designer Arthur Shaginyan. It is a compact device equipped with a special net that launches and quickly unfolds in the air, allowing it to intercept a drone in flight.

'You need to hold the handle with three fingers. This finger performs the action when you press the button after pulling out the safety. You should aim relative to the axis of the barrel,' - demonstrates the principle of the device's operation, developer Arthur Shaginyan.

Reasons for creation

Arthur, analyzing numerous interviews with soldiers, noticed that fighters often lack the means to protect themselves from drones. This prompted him to create a handheld net gun designed for use when a drone is already nearby.

'When the FPV is already somewhere nearby, they tend to approach to hit. In many situations, when, for example, a drone is chasing a car, you can stick the device out of the window and take down the drone from the car or trunk,' - explains the developer.

Technical specifications

The device can launch a net up to 20 meters, wrapping around the drone's propellers and neutralizing it. The net gun costs approximately 3,500 hryvnias, which is significantly cheaper than foreign analogues.

'There have already been cases of combat applications, when a drone chased a car and was shot down. A big plus is that the drone did not detonate during neutralization. In general, the topic of net guns is quite new, and people are still adapting to it,' - reported Shaginyan.

Further development and modifications

Work on creating the device lasted almost a year and is currently undergoing testing. Arthur is discussing possible modifications with military personnel. The fighters are confident that the device will be useful on the front lines but would like to improve its accuracy and range.

'In general, I saw this development on the internet and was intrigued. There is a huge threat to our fighters, as they are constantly pursued by drones. Therefore, such things need to be produced,' - noted a military personnel with the call sign 'Afghan.'

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of this device is its independence from electronics. Many modern drones have electronic warfare protection systems and do not respond to traditional anti-aircraft methods. In cases where standard means do not work, physically stopping drones becomes the only solution.

'Countermeasures should not be limited to electronic warfare means alone,' - explains expert Anatoly Khrapchynsky.

Comparison with other analogues

Similar net guns are used in various armies around the world. For example, the Japanese police use a drone interceptor that itself releases a net into the air, while in the USA, there are developments of pneumatic guns. Meanwhile, Ukrainian versions differ in simplicity, adaptability to real combat conditions, and affordability.