Germany Unveils 'Net Drone' System to Safely Capture Intruding UAVs

Amid rising drone sightings near critical infrastructure, Germany demonstrates a new 'net drone' system designed to safely capture UAVs without causing debris, enhancing urban security and enabling post-capture analysis.

Mon Jun 01 2026

Net System Ensures Safe Drone Capture

In Germany, after repeated sightings of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) near airports, military sites, and critical infrastructure, methods to safely neutralize them are being explored. A new counter-drone system, demonstrated to journalists near Hamburg, is designed to capture target drones with a net rather than shooting them down. This approach aims to prevent collateral damage to people or property from falling debris. Developers emphasize the technology's particular utility in urban areas. Captured drones can be recovered largely intact, allowing investigators to examine them for crucial information.

Multi-Drone Tracking and Response Capabilities

Before a drone can be intercepted, it must first be detected and tracked. Echodyn's radar technology monitors airspace and can track multiple targets simultaneously. Eben Frankenberg, President and CEO of Echodyn, stated that their larger radar can track hundreds of drones per panel, with a 360-degree setup capable of tracking approaching a thousand drones. This capability addresses threats not just from single aircraft, but from entire swarms or so-called 'mother drones'. Each interceptor drone carries two net payloads, allowing operators a second attempt if the first net misses its target. The system’s primary objective is to bring down the drone as safely and as intact as possible.

*Source: YouTube: Euronews (2026-06-01)*

Tags: #drone #security #Germany #radar #tech