Czech firm Excalibur Presents Hunter kinetic counter-drone UAS at IDET 2025 for air defense
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On May 28, 2025, at the IDET 2025 defense exhibition in Brno, Czech Republic, Excalibur International unveiled its Hunter Counter-Drone UAS. This kinetic interception system is designed to strengthen layered air defense by neutralizing hostile drones. As drone warfare evolves, countering small and agile UAVs is critical for military and strategic assets. Hunter offers a mobile, affordable, and advanced solution. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Hunter system enhances defense forces’ ability to neutralize low-cost enemy UAVs without relying on expensive missiles or electronic warfare assets (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The Hunter Counter-Drone UAS developed by Excalibur International is a mobile lightweight system engineered to kinetically intercept hostile aerial drones. The system employs a resilient net and fast drone architecture capable of conducting high-speed interception strikes against enemy drones. Pilots operate the Hunter using a handheld controller and head-mounted display goggles, enabling precise mid-air interception. Once contact is made, the Hunter drone deploys disposable physical effectors designed to detach upon impact, causing the target UAV to crash. The system is compact, measuring 54 cm in length and weighing 1.6 kg, with a maximum payload of 2.5 kg, speeds up to 70 km/h, endurance of 22 minutes, and a range of 5 km line-of-sight.
The development of the Hunter system responds to the increasing threat posed by commercial and military-grade drones across recent conflicts. Its design prioritizes agility, ease of deployment, and cost-effectiveness, with interception based on kinetic effectors rather than electronic jamming, thus bypassing limitations of existing soft-kill systems. Drawing from operational lessons in Ukraine and the Middle East, where drone swarms and kamikaze UAVs have proven difficult to counter, the Hunter adds a versatile “hard-kill” option to layered defense strategies. Its compact format allows rapid deployment by infantry units, special forces, or infrastructure protection teams.
Compared to other counter-UAS solutions, such as the Israeli Drone Dome (laser-based) or the Rheinmetall Skynex (gun-based), the Hunter stands out for its mobility and affordability. Historically, net-based interception drones have evolved from bulky experimental platforms into agile and disposable systems like the Hunter. Unlike fixed-site or vehicle-mounted counter-UAS solutions, Hunter can be fielded by dismounted personnel, offering flexibility for dynamic battlefield environments or urban security operations.
Strategically, the Hunter system enhances defense forces’ ability to neutralize low-cost enemy UAVs without relying on expensive missiles or electronic warfare assets. This aligns with broader NATO and EU doctrines advocating for scalable and layered air defense in response to proliferating drone threats. Its introduction strengthens the capabilities of frontline troops and critical asset protection in Europe’s increasingly contested airspace. Geopolitically, it offers European allies an indigenous alternative to non-EU counter-UAS imports, contributing to defense industrial autonomy.
Hunter from Excalibur International embodies a pragmatic response to the evolving aerial threat landscape. By combining mobility, technological simplicity, and operational flexibility, this Czech-made system enriches the counter-UAS toolkit available to European and allied forces. As drone warfare continues to reshape the dynamics of modern conflicts, compact and effective solutions like Hunter will likely see growing demand across military and homeland security markets.
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On May 28, 2025, at the IDET 2025 defense exhibition in Brno, Czech Republic, Excalibur International unveiled its Hunter Counter-Drone UAS. This kinetic interception system is designed to strengthen layered air defense by neutralizing hostile drones. As drone warfare evolves, countering small and agile UAVs is critical for military and strategic assets. Hunter offers a mobile, affordable, and advanced solution.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Hunter system enhances defense forces’ ability to neutralize low-cost enemy UAVs without relying on expensive missiles or electronic warfare assets (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The Hunter Counter-Drone UAS developed by Excalibur International is a mobile lightweight system engineered to kinetically intercept hostile aerial drones. The system employs a resilient net and fast drone architecture capable of conducting high-speed interception strikes against enemy drones. Pilots operate the Hunter using a handheld controller and head-mounted display goggles, enabling precise mid-air interception. Once contact is made, the Hunter drone deploys disposable physical effectors designed to detach upon impact, causing the target UAV to crash. The system is compact, measuring 54 cm in length and weighing 1.6 kg, with a maximum payload of 2.5 kg, speeds up to 70 km/h, endurance of 22 minutes, and a range of 5 km line-of-sight.
The development of the Hunter system responds to the increasing threat posed by commercial and military-grade drones across recent conflicts. Its design prioritizes agility, ease of deployment, and cost-effectiveness, with interception based on kinetic effectors rather than electronic jamming, thus bypassing limitations of existing soft-kill systems. Drawing from operational lessons in Ukraine and the Middle East, where drone swarms and kamikaze UAVs have proven difficult to counter, the Hunter adds a versatile “hard-kill” option to layered defense strategies. Its compact format allows rapid deployment by infantry units, special forces, or infrastructure protection teams.
Compared to other counter-UAS solutions, such as the Israeli Drone Dome (laser-based) or the Rheinmetall Skynex (gun-based), the Hunter stands out for its mobility and affordability. Historically, net-based interception drones have evolved from bulky experimental platforms into agile and disposable systems like the Hunter. Unlike fixed-site or vehicle-mounted counter-UAS solutions, Hunter can be fielded by dismounted personnel, offering flexibility for dynamic battlefield environments or urban security operations.
Strategically, the Hunter system enhances defense forces’ ability to neutralize low-cost enemy UAVs without relying on expensive missiles or electronic warfare assets. This aligns with broader NATO and EU doctrines advocating for scalable and layered air defense in response to proliferating drone threats. Its introduction strengthens the capabilities of frontline troops and critical asset protection in Europe’s increasingly contested airspace. Geopolitically, it offers European allies an indigenous alternative to non-EU counter-UAS imports, contributing to defense industrial autonomy.
Hunter from Excalibur International embodies a pragmatic response to the evolving aerial threat landscape. By combining mobility, technological simplicity, and operational flexibility, this Czech-made system enriches the counter-UAS toolkit available to European and allied forces. As drone warfare continues to reshape the dynamics of modern conflicts, compact and effective solutions like Hunter will likely see growing demand across military and homeland security markets.
