French tech startup Harmattan AI has introduced “Gobi,” a new “high-speed drone” built to intercept enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) within a minute from launch.
The drone weighs less than two kilograms (4.4 pounds), made possible by ditching the traditional warhead. According to the company’s website, this design choice makes it “lightweight” and “ultra cost-effective.”
Gobi can reach speeds up to 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour and boasts a five-kilometer (3.1-mile) operating radius. It can also engage hostile drones weighing up to 600 kilograms (1,322 pounds).
Unlike traditional systems that rely on proximity fuses to detonate near a target, the new drone neutralizes UAVs by making direct contact, shattering propellers and other vulnerable parts on impact.
Harmattan AI has reported that initial models of the unmanned platform are already undergoing flight trials.
System in Action
Gobi achieves its goal in three phases: First, it scans for threats using electromagnetic and radio frequencies.
Once a target is identified, the drone launches automatically. Radio signals guide it toward the threat, with real-time coordinate updates along the way.
As it nears the target, Gobi switches to infrared tracking to enable a precise strike. Harmattan AI said the interceptor drone uses “computer vision” to find the “optimal impact point” and make last-second adjustments mid-air.
According to the developer, the system can be integrated into command-and-control (C2) platforms, allowing it to work alongside other systems to share data, identify enemy UAVs, and avoid friendly fire.
While the drone’s effectiveness in rugged terrain is still uncertain, Gobi’s integration into C2 platforms also allows it to operate autonomously.
