A US startup is rethinking short-range drone defense with a rotating turret system designed to engage aerial threats across a full 360-degree field of fire.
Developed by Picket Defense Systems, the “Inferno RTC” centers on a patented spherical design with multiple munition barrels fixed at different elevation angles, allowing it to rapidly engage targets approaching from various directions.
The turret comes in two variants. The smaller configuration weighs 45 pounds (20 kilograms) and carries 36 barrels capable of firing 5.56mm rounds, .410 shells, and 20-gauge munitions.
The larger version weighs 90 pounds (41 kilograms) and features more than 54 barrels, scaling up to 12-gauge and 40mm low-velocity rounds.
Both variants can detect targets at ranges of up to 120 meters (394 feet).
The systems are also built using 3D-printed resin components to reduce weight and manufacturing costs compared to traditional steel-based designs.
According to the company, the material approach also enables faster production, supporting rapid deployment of counter-drone systems in the field.
Spotting Targets With Sound, Sight
Inferno RTC integrates onboard sensors capable of detecting threats and cueing the optimal barrels for engagement, reducing the aiming delay conventional turrets face when mechanically rotating toward a target.
Detection is handled through a combination of a 3D acoustic microphone array and multiple camera systems, enabling passive tracking without radar emissions that could be detected or jammed by adversaries.
The targeting process is further supported by onboard AI designed to identify and prioritize hostile drones in real time without relying on external networks.
Multiple Firepower Options
Beyond conventional munitions, the turret can also deploy nets, laser dazzlers, and smoke obscurants.
This gives Inferno RTC broader operational flexibility for missions such as border security, urban infrastructure protection, and scenarios where minimizing collateral damage is critical.
The turret is also positioned to take on fiber-optic drones, which remain difficult to counter due to inherent jam-resistant features.
