Specialists from the enterprise "Sistemy mekhanicheskoy zashchity" have developed the innovative engineering net "Darwin," designed to counter attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles. The technology is already being supplied to equip Russian army facilities in the country's border regions.
The key feature of the solution is its ability to partially self-regenerate after damage. When a kamikaze drone detonates, adjacent cells of the mesh automatically shift, covering the resulting breach. According to the developers, this mechanism halves the area of the unprotected opening compared with traditional mesh barriers.
The net is supplied as a ready-made sheet, which eliminates the need to stitch together individual segments directly at the deployment site and significantly speeds up the installation of engineering barriers. Reinforced cells are integrated into the structure, serving as load-bearing elements and simplifying attachment to various types of supports, from metal structures to wooden stakes.
The material used for the net is polypropylene with a density of 40 g/m², combining light weight with sufficient strength to perform protective functions.
Previously, units had to use improvised means, including fishing nets, to protect against drone attacks. However, this approach came with significant limitations: installation was labor-intensive, and damage from nearby explosions created large unprotected areas. Repairing such barriers in field conditions proved extremely difficult.
The new development is intended to eliminate these shortcomings through a well-thought-out design and the use of materials specially adapted to the tasks of countering modern threats.