As drone threats rapidly evolve, especially with the rise of fiber-optic drones that cannot be stopped by electronic warfare, the Ukrainian company 3DTech has created an innovative interceptor drone called the Predator Shooter. This drone is designed to physically destroy enemy drones—including fast, cable-controlled FPV drones—as well as engage enemy personnel.
The founder of the company, Oleksiy Zhulinskyi, told ‘Military’ about the new development.
The Predator Shooter features a unique suspended firing module equipped with six 12-gauge barrels. It uses common smoothbore cartridges like buckshot or birdshot, which have been specially modified to include a recoil compensation system. This ensures the drone remains stable in the air while firing, preventing loss of control.
The system can fire single shots, automatic bursts, or volleys from all barrels simultaneously, making it highly effective at hitting targets at close range—ideal for aerial combat against small, fast-moving drones.
Fiber-optic drones pose a serious challenge because they are controlled via cable rather than radio signals, making them immune to jamming and electronic countermeasures. The Predator Shooter solves this problem by physically intercepting and destroying drones within line of sight, rather than trying to disrupt their signals.
To address the need for speed and maneuverability in chasing agile FPV drones, 3DTech developed a lightweight version of the Predator Shooter. This variant has two barrels and a simpler design, allowing it to reach speeds up to 150 km/h. It offers a fast response against small, nimble targets in crowded airspace.
What sets the Predator Shooter apart is its versatility. It can fire various types of smoothbore ammunition, adapts easily to different combat tasks, and is reusable and simple to maintain. The recoil compensation keeps the drone stable even during rapid fire. It can operate manually or be integrated into automated surveillance and interception systems.
According to its creators, the Predator Shooter could form the basis of affordable, effective point-defense systems against UAVs. Its uses extend beyond the battlefield to protecting critical infrastructure, military convoys, and temporary bases.
