Ukrainian company BlueBird Tech, together with personnel from the Omega Special Operations Centre of the National Guard of Ukraine, demonstrated the Chipa net launcher. The new device was tested during joint field trials simulating realistic scenarios involving enemy FPV drone attacks on military personnel.
At the training ground, the special forces personnel first detected the UAV using the Chuyka 4.5.0 drone detector. According to the exercise scenario, no shelter was available, so a soldier deployed the Chipa net launcher when the drone entered the final stage of its attack trajectory. The net opened in mid-air and entangled the drone’s propellers, causing it to fall dozens of metres away from the soldiers.
According to personnel from the Omega Special Operations Centre of the National Guard of Ukraine, net launchers are particularly relevant in today’s war, especially for countering fibre-optic-controlled drones.
“A radio-controlled drone can be detected using the Chuyka detector, giving us time to find cover or conceal ourselves. However, we often notice a fibre-optic-controlled drone only when it is already close to our position. In such cases, the net launcher can save lives by preventing the drone from carrying out its attack,” explains ‘Poliak’, a soldier from the 1st Separate Omega Special Operations Detachment of the National Guard’s Special Operations Centre.
How the Ukrainian Chipa Net Launcher Works
When the trigger is pulled, a purpose-designed net is launched forward and opens to form a 3 × 3-metre barrier. The net launcher has an effective range of up to 25 metres.
BlueBird Tech explains that the disposable net launcher was designed for ease of use. Unlike a firearm, the user does not need to hit the drone precisely with the net launcher—the direction of the shot is what matters. This provides an additional means of countering a threat in stressful situations when there is little time for precise aiming.
“No specialised skills are required to use the Chipa net launcher. Its operating principle is similar to that of a pistol: the user pulls out the safety pin and fires a single shot. Thanks to the size of the net, there is no need to hit the UAV directly—it is enough to aim towards it to intercept the FPV drone,” says a BlueBird Tech technical specialist.
The company adds that the disposable net launcher is available for purchase by civilians as well as military personnel. The personal protection device is not classified as a weapon and does not require any permits for purchase.
The Chipa net launcher is already available on the official BlueBird Tech website.
