Russian students build anti-drone simulator to train gunners

Students at Russia’s Southern Federal University (SFU) have developed the world’s first dedicated anti-drone rifle simulator, powered by Unreal Engine, to train gunners in countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The interactive platform places trainees in a virtual test range where radio signals, GPS interference, and device behaviors are modeled in near-real time. Users can operate digital replicas of Russian anti-drone rifles like the “Pars” and “Harpy,” as well as detectors such as the “Bulat” v3, against a variety of target drones ranging from small FPV quadcopters to commercial DJI models and Ukrainian military drones like the “Leleki-100.” The simulator includes theoretical lessons, educational materials, and video scenarios designed to improve practical skills, decision-making under stress, and familiarity with electronic warfare conditions without the cost of live ammunition or hardware. The development responds to the increasing dominance of drones on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield, where UAVs have been used extensively for