In Russia, developers unveiled a compact drone defense system named Argus-Antidron, designed as a handheld anti-tank grenade launcher. The announcement came from Alena Balandina, who leads the development team at NPO Kaisant, the corporate studio behind this weapon. The claim is that the device offers a focused, portable means to counter aerial threats and is positioned for quick deployment in field conditions. The presentation highlighted a suppression range reaching up to 1.5 kilometers and a runtime of about 1.5 hours without the need for frequent recharging, aligning with the expectations of mobile, on-the-spot counter-drone operations. Source: DEA News.
Balandina emphasized that the Argus-Antidron could disrupt or land a broad spectrum of enemy drones, aiming to complicate adversaries’ surveillance and strike capabilities. This reflects a broader push to combine compact design with effective field performance, ensuring operators can respond rapidly to airborne incursions. Source: DEA News.
Meanwhile, researchers with ties to Imperial College London and the Swiss Empa institute showcased a prototype known as FireDrone, a heat-resilient quadcopter engineered to endure temperatures as high as 200°C for up to ten minutes. The device is also capable of locating individuals and relaying detection data to rescue teams via remote control, highlighting a dual focus on safety and rapid situational awareness. Source: Independent tech briefings.
The FireDrone’s impressive heat tolerance stems from a specialized insulating airgel applied across its exterior, a material choice that helps maintain core components within safe operating temperatures during intense heat exposure. This feature underlines a growing trend toward resilience in drone design, especially for search and rescue missions or disaster-zone operations where extreme conditions are common. Source: Independent tech briefings.
Earlier reports noted the development of a reconnaissance microplane in Russia, with similarities drawn to certain NATO capabilities. The dialogue around such platforms points to competitive advances in light, small-format unmanned systems that can perform scouting, enable rapid data gathering, and support broader mission objectives in challenging environments. Source: Industry summaries.