⚠ Disclaimer: This entry may be incomplete, out of date, or inaccurate. It is AI-maintained on a best-effort basis. Do not rely on it as a sole source — verify claims independently using the sources listed below.
Summary
The Fortem DroneHunter F700 is a fully autonomous interceptor drone that physically captures threat drones using a trailing net. Guided by TrueView radar cues and onboard AI, it launches on detection, intercepts the target autonomously, deploys a net to capture the threat drone, and returns to base. Non-explosive and non-kinetic in the conventional sense — it does not fire projectiles — the F700 provides a physical countermeasure against RF-dark drones that cannot be jammed or cyber-taken-over. With ~5,000 captures documented, it is the most operationally proven counter-drone interceptor in the commercial market.
Key Facts
- Manufacturer: Fortem Technologies (Utah, USA)
- Type: Autonomous interceptor drone (net capture)
- Captures documented: ~5,000+ (company-stated)
- Engagement range: 2–3 km kill range; radar detection to 4+ km
- Endurance: 10 km range
- Reload time: Under 3 minutes for back-to-back sorties
- Guidance: Fully autonomous from TrueView radar cue + onboard dual cameras + AI
- Operation: Day/night; functions in rain, snow, fog
- Countermeasure method: Net capture (non-explosive, non-kinetic projectile)
- Version: F700 5.0 (released January 2026) with dual cameras and enhanced computing
How It Works
- TrueView radar detects and tracks a threat drone at up to 4+ km range using micro-Doppler classification
- SkyDome Manager software assesses threat and cues DroneHunter launch
- DroneHunter launches within seconds
- Onboard AI and dual cameras acquire and track the target autonomously
- DroneHunter intercepts target and deploys a capture net
- Net entangles the target drone’s rotors, rendering it inoperative
- DroneHunter returns to launch site; can be reloaded in under 3 minutes
Key advantages for critical infrastructure:
- Works against RF-dark threats (fiber-optic, autonomous waypoint) — the physical drone is the target, not its signal
- Non-explosive — minimizes collateral damage risk near facilities
- Preserves evidence — captured drone recovered intact
- Fully autonomous — no human-in-the-loop delay
Operational Deployments
Ukraine: Ukraine has procured DroneHunter for use against Shahed-136 loitering munitions, Zala reconnaissance drones, and Orlan-10 ISR drones. This is the most demanding operational test environment for any C-UAS technology.
Electric grid protection (USA): Fortem’s partnership with Southern States (December 2025) targets grid substation protection — directly relevant to the critical infrastructure use case.
Legal Context for US Private Infrastructure
Deploying kinetic countermeasures against drones in US airspace requires legal review. Under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Section 2209), only specific federal agencies are authorized to disable or destroy drones. The interpretation of whether net-capture by an interceptor drone constitutes an FAA-regulated action is unsettled for private operators. Critical infrastructure operators should consult legal counsel and coordinate with DHS/FAA before deploying DroneHunter.
Claim Verification
Claim: 5,000+ captures
Status: Unverified independently — company-stated figure as of early 2026. Supporting sources: Fortem product page — company-stated; Ukraine deployment corroborates operational use Summary: Plausible given Ukraine deployment at scale; independent count unavailable.