Key Points

After five years of private research and development, the DCS offers a fast, portable way to detect, capture, and safely neutralize hostile drones -- including swarms -- without creating hazardous debris or disrupting nearby communications. Why this matters

- Drone incidents are rising at airports, stadiums borders, and critical facilities. Existing countermeasures typically stop one drone at a time, can leave dangerous falling debris, or risk disrupting nearby civic systems.

- Velodyne Space says the DCS addresses those problems with a clean, kinetic approach that is designed to protect people and infrastructure while minimizing side effects.

How the Drone Catching System works

- Detection and tracking: An AI-powered sensor package identifies and tracks aerial targets at ranges beyond 1,000 feet.

- High-speed net launch: The launcher uses a proprietary electromagnetic coil-launch system -- the first commercial use of high-power coil gun technology -- to fire net projectiles at up to 5 nets per second.

- Capture and safe recovery: Each net is 20 feet in diameter and deploys a parachute after capture so the netted drone can descend safely without scattering debris.

Design and deployment

- The system is mounted inside a discreet, fully enclosed launcher for secure transport and rapid use.

- DCS is scalable and portable, built as a defensive system for crowded or sensitive locations.

Safety and applications

- Velodyne Space emphasizes public safety and environmental considerations in the system's design. Because the approach captures drones rather than destroying them, it reduces risk from falling debris and avoids radio-frequency disruption caused by jamming.

- Potential uses include airports, energy facilities, data centers, correctional institutions, borders, large events, military bases and forward operations.

About the technology and team

- David Hall has spent five years adapting high-power electromagnetic launch methods originally developed for clean rocket alternatives. The DCS leverages that work to provide rapid, repeatable net launches.

- Hall is a serial inventor whose earlier lidar and audio innovations helped shape the robotics and autonomous vehicle industries. Velodyne Space is taking orders for DCS now, with first deliveries planned for 2026.

For more information, visit www.velodynespace.com.

- PRN