The U.S. Army patented a net-carrying grenade-sized weapon that the service built to catch and deter unmanned aerial systems, C4ISRnet reported Monday.Â
The grenade works in a standard 40mm launcher and features sensors that detect the target before launching the net onto the drones. Initial testing of the tool showed it can effectively engage and stop a UAS threat, according to the patent.Â
“The performance of this invention goes further than any previous system proposed which merely launches a net directly at a UAS,†the document states.Â
The patent also indicates the net used in the grenade could also counter boats, boat propellers, moving land vehicles and stationary land vehicles.
