Ukraine unveils mini air defense to shoot down FPV drones and Peace Duck interceptor
Photo: New solutions for countering Russian UAVs (Contra Drone)
Ukrainian company Contra Drone has unveiled a comprehensive counter-drone system that combines more than 20 defense solutions. The new protection architecture was tested during the closed-field Demo Day event, according to the Contra Drone presentation.
Mini air defense system for shooting down FPV drones
The main highlight of the presentation was the automated MADS (Mini Air Defense System). It is designed to detect, track, and intercept small aerial targets (FPV drones, quadcopters, and flying wings) moving at speeds of up to 300 km/h.
The system operates in fully automatic mode and is capable of destroying targets at ranges and altitudes of up to 1,000 meters without operator involvement in any weather conditions. The system's interceptor missiles can be equipped with fragmentation, thermobaric, or net warheads.
The company also demonstrated the following to military personnel and international partners:
- SPECTRE electronic intelligence system;
- SENSE-3 and SENSE-4 compact FPV drone detectors;
- CD-T15 all-weather radar system, capable of tracking more than 300 objects at distances of up to 22 km.
Photo: SENSE detector (Contra Drone)
Trench EW and protection for soldiers
The second part of the demonstration focused on individual protection for service members on the front line. Specialists tested the D-JACK device, which automatically detects controllers using the ELRS protocol and applies targeted electronic warfare against them.
The developers also presented the Contra-drone Anti-fpv BackPack 3 mobile backpack system, which creates a personal protective dome while on the move, the Anti-Mavic mast-mounted system, and a special protective suit made from Rip-Stop fabric that shields EW operators from electromagnetic radiation.
Stationary systems and vehicle-mounted EW
To protect infrastructure and logistics, the company developed vehicle-mounted and stationary systems. These include the Phantom directional system, the universal Boombox system, and the NATSPOL concealed-installation system for integration into civilian vehicles.
During a moving test on a vehicle platform, the flagship Contra-drone 8 Ultra system was deployed, demonstrating jamming of the full spectrum of digital and analog communication channels used by enemy UAVs.
Robotic platforms and AI-powered drones
The final part of the event featured the Peace Duck high-speed autonomous interceptor drone with integrated artificial intelligence. The drone can independently destroy Russian reconnaissance UAVs such as the Orlan or Zala without operator involvement during the final stage of interception.
Alongside it, the company showcased the Yell Duck line of strike FPV drones, the Blackwing and Black Goose fixed-wing UAVs designed to operate in GPS-denied environments, and the Nyvexa ground logistics EW platform. The event culminated in the real-time interception of an aerial target.
According to Fly Group Ukraine Commercial Director Maksym Matskuliak, the key advantage on the battlefield lies in the ability to integrate different technologies into a single system that quickly detects threats, analyzes them, and provides an effective response.
As previously reported, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced a grant competition for the development of humanoid robots for the Defense Forces. According to the minister, combat robots should minimize risks to Ukrainian service members during combat missions and frontline rotations.
Read the RBC-Ukraine interview with UGV Robotics Director Petro Leontiev to learn how Ukrainian UGVs will service larger autonomous ground systems to minimize human involvement.
