Russia tests improvised anti-drone system based on smoke-screen launchers

Recent footage shows the start of trials for an improvised active defense system against drones, dubbed the “KAZ antidrones,” developed from the launchers of the 902 “Tucha” system — traditionally used to fire smoke grenades from Russian armored vehicles.

This time, however, the Tucha tubes are not releasing smoke screens but are firing volleys of impact elements intended to neutralize incoming enemy FPV drones.

In practice, the new system works like a large shotgun mounted on armored vehicles, designed to fire pellets of various calibers or small multiple projectiles. According to reports, shots using fragmentation-style munitions have proven more effective at downing low-flying drones.

Despite the ingenuity of the solution, test results so far remain modest. Operators still face serious challenges related to accuracy and reaction time.

At present, countermeasure firing is done “by eye,” based on instructions from an external observer.

This limitation significantly reduces the system’s effectiveness in real combat conditions, where FPV drones move at high speed and on unpredictable trajectories.

Source and images: Telegram @milinfolive | Zvezda