Russian company EdGun has presented Kokoshnik, a hand-launched interceptor drone designed to engage aerial targets on its own. It is pitched as an alternative to other Russian interceptor drones such as Yolka and Varvar, and it reportedly relies on an onboard AI-based guidance system. The operator locks onto a target from up to 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) away, and the drone then pursues and intercepts it without further control. It is fired from a compact, manually operated launcher, which keeps the whole system light and easy to carry.

The reported numbers are eye-catching. Kokoshnik can reach speeds of up to 280 km/h (174 mph) and has a stated payload capacity of 300 grams (0.66 lb), and its developers say they plan to raise top speed to 450 km/h (280 mph). If the drone fails to engage its target, it can reportedly be flown back using a separate control unit. These figures come from the developers and have not been independently confirmed, and there has been no public word on combat testing, production numbers, or price. Readers will want to know how well the AI guidance copes with electronic warfare, whether the speed upgrade will arrive, and how it stacks up against rival interceptors.