The ground robot "Courier" was taught to shoot down drones

The ground robotic complex "Courier", equipped with a PKT machine gun, has been taught to shoot down enemy drones. According to the Russian military, with the support of the "Courier", several dozen drones of various types have been shot down - from small "Mavic" drones to high-speed FPV devices. The complex's crew also destroyed a large reconnaissance UAV made according to the "flying wing" scheme.

The robot is controlled remotely via a radio channel: the operator sees the image from the onboard cameras in real time and adjusts the fire. The PKT machine gun is mounted on a stabilized platform, which allows for aimed fire at aerial targets even on the move. The tracked chassis provides cross-country ability, and a 6 kW electric motor provides speeds up to 35 km/h.

It is important that the "Courier" does not just react to the threat - it takes advantageous positions in advance on the approaches to objects, creating a coverage area. This reduces the load on air defense crews and allows infantry to operate with less risk.

Previously, "robot war" more often meant the vulnerability of ground equipment to aerial drones. Now the balance is shifting: mobile robotic systems with machine gun armament are able not only to defend themselves, but also to actively engage UAVs in the air. This opens up new opportunities for building a layered defense at the tactical level.

The "Courier" platform was originally created as a transport module for delivering goods to dangerous areas.