Harmattan AI Gobi: a kamikaze anti-aircraft drone for hunting UAVs
Amid the growing threat from drone swarms and cheap kamikaze UAVs, French startup Harmattan AI has introduced Gobi, a high-speed interceptor drone that can neutralise enemy UAVs in less than a minute after launch. It is a compact (38×38×28 cm) and lightweight (less than 2 kg) device that launches without delay and hits the target with a direct kinetic strike. Its speed reaches 250 km/h and the impact energy exceeds 4,500 J, which is enough to disable even manoeuvrable and armoured drones.
A camera view of the Gobi interceptor drone. Illustration: Harmattan AI
Gobi first scans the radio frequency and electromagnetic spectrums, detects the threat, receives confirmation of the interception, and launches. During the chase, the system's AI adjusts the trajectory and speed in real time, and at the final stage, it uses infrared cameras and radar to target the most vulnerable parts of the enemy UAV, usually the engines or control system.
Gobi specifications:
- Speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
- Dimensions: 38×38×28 cm
- Weight: <2 kg
- Range: 5 km (3 miles)
- Mission time: up to 1 minute
- Support for night operations (optional)
- Autonomous guidance and integration into C2 platforms
What is C2 and why is it important for Gobi?
C2 (Command and Control) is the nervous system of modern warfare. These are command and control platforms that collect data from various sources - radars, cameras, electronic warfare systems, satellites - and turn them into a single picture of the battlefield. Commanders do not receive a chaotic stream of signals, but a clear map showing what is coming, where it is coming from, and how to respond.
For Gobi, integration into C2 means
- Instant data on enemy UAVs - no need for the drone to search for targets, the system will "highlight" them.
- Interceptor swarm coordination - dozens of Gobi can be launched simultaneously so that they do not interfere with each other.
- Protection from friendly fire - the system knows where its drones and aircraft are.
- Up-to-date threat updates - if the target changes course or new ones appear, Gobi will get it on the fly.
Simply put, without C2, Gobi is a fast and angry loner. With C2, it is part of a collective air defence umbrella that protects the entire frontline or strategic object from attack.
Why it is important in modern warfare
Modern conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East, have shown that swarms of cheap drones can overwhelm air defence systems and cause huge damage. Classical countermeasures - from expensive air defence systems to jammers - are either too slow or ineffective in crowded airspace.
Gobi solves several problems at once:
- Rapid response time - it takes about 60 seconds from detection to engagement.
- No explosions - kinetic damage without the risk of collateral damage.
- Scalability - compact and cheap, suitable for simultaneous launch of dozens of interceptors.
- Autonomy - works even in environments with radio interference, thanks to built-in AI models.
Harmattan AI emphasises that Gobi is specially designed for "air saturation" - when dozens of enemy drones attack simultaneously. Its integration into C2 command platforms allows for real-time coordination of intercepts, which is critical to protecting mobile units and strategic assets.
Source: Harmattan AI
