Russia Patents Anti-Drone Helmet Operated by Mouth

Russia has patented an anti-drone helmet designed to allow soldiers to operate the weapon without using their hands. The device can target and destroy drones with ammunition or a net, and is equipped with a laser and electronic controls for aiming and firing. Operation can be initiated through a strong bite on a specialized mouthpiece or via voice command.

The helmet-mounted weapon was developed by Russian inventors Yuri Ladyagin and Yuri Gabliia, who have previously collaborated on an electroshock weapon and a method for countering Ukrainian fiber optic drones. Cameras for drone detection may also be incorporated into the system.

It remains unclear if the technology can effectively detect and intercept incoming drones in a timely manner. The development timeline for patents into functional weapons can span years, and factors such as physical strain on the user, the risk of accidental deployment, and accuracy must be addressed. The patent does not provide evidence of practical testing, serial manufacturing, or official adoption by the Russian armed forces.

Similar concepts have emerged previously. In September 2024, a drone detection system mounted on a helmet was offered by the governor of the Donetsk region, though it was designed to detect and intercept drone signals rather than physically engage them. This distinction separates it from the newly patented helmet.

The development comes after reports of faulty invisibility cloaks rendering Russian soldiers vulnerable to Ukrainian drones. These cloaks, intended to conceal soldiers from thermal and night vision sensors by masking body heat, reportedly malfunctioned, creating cold spots that made them easier to detect. This flaw, combined with potential issues in soldier training, has reportedly led to increased targeting by Ukrainian drones, particularly at night, utilizing thermal imaging capabilities.