Autonomous drone captures intruders with a net

Drone Defence Autonomous Drone Captures Intruders with a Net

2025-12-04 Source: Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

In a joint project, researchers in Würzburg (Germany) have developed a system capable of intercepting and capturing unauthorized drones. The interceptors operate entirely autonomously.

The interceptor drone on its approach: First, the net is deployed, then the intruder is captured.(Image: Martin Henriquez Wehr/University of Würzburg) — The interceptor drone on its approach: First, the net is deployed, then the intruder is captured.
(Image: Martin Henriquez Wehr/University of Würzburg)

Drones have developed into versatile tools in recent years. They assist research teams in explorations or surveys, are used in agriculture or logistics, and enable film crews and photographers to capture impressive shots. At the same time, however, unmanned aerial vehicles also pose risks.

Since 2017, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has been funding projects as part of the "Research for Civil Security" initiative to develop protective measures against such unwanted intruders. One such project was recently successfully completed at Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg.

Caught in the net

The development began in 2017 with the MIDRAS project, which impressed a jury of various security authorities during an evaluation with a live demonstration in the summer of 2020. In the subsequent flagship project IDAS (Innovative Drone Defence System), the original concept was developed into an operational prototype.

In IDAS, the team led by Dr. Julian Rothe developed a system capable of intercepting and capturing potentially dangerous drones. For this purpose, the researchers use drones themselves. Equipped with a deployable net, the IDAS drone confronts its "peers."

One large instead of several interceptor drones

The project team made some technical adjustments over the past two years. “In close coordination with the police as end users, we decided to use a larger drone instead of several drones in cooperative flight. This better meets practical requirements,” explains Rothe. He led IDAS at the Chair of Computer Science VIII.

AI prevents confusion

Also new on board is its own target acquisition system. This relies on LiDAR sensors that detect a potential target object. A camera then verifies the object using AI. "This ensures that it is indeed a drone and not, for example, a bird," Rothe continued.

Drone operates autonomously

The interceptor drone does not require a pilot with a joystick. Only a start button needs to be activated when, for example, airport surveillance systems detect a possible intruder.

Once it is in the net, it is safely deposited at a predetermined location. According to Julian Rothe, this is a key point for future users: "Ensuring that the intruding drone is safely captured and remains as undamaged as possible was an important aspect of the project. This enables investigative authorities to conduct forensic analyses and draw conclusions about the operators."

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Date: 08.12.2025

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