Rostec has connected the Kalitka-K automatic gun turret to an integrated drone defense network, allowing it to receive targeting information from external radar stations and reconnaissance personnel. The upgrade enables the system to detect approaching unmanned aircraft earlier and prepare to destroy them more quickly, the Russian state corporation announced.

Developed by Kalashnikov, a subsidiary of Rostec, the turret is designed to protect critical facilities against drones at close range. It uses a PKT machine gun, while an onboard camera and thermal imager allow it to operate both during the day and at night. The system automatically identifies targets and aims its weapon, leaving the final decision to open fire to the operator.

A key feature of Kalitka-K is its ability to work alongside other surveillance and defense systems. Instead of relying exclusively on its own sensors, the turret can use intelligence from external sources to identify incoming threats and respond before drones reach protected sites.

The weapon is already being used by Russian troops in the special military operation zone. According to military personnel, its drone interception success rate ranges from 70% to 100%, depending on the type of aircraft. The system can be deployed at a fixed position or mounted on a conventional pickup truck, allowing it to be quickly moved wherever additional protection is required.

The development follows Kalashnikov’s earlier announcement of a layered defense concept combining anti-aircraft missiles, interceptor drones and small arms into a single coordinated network. The proposed system is designed to destroy aerial targets at distances ranging from 100 meters to 11 kilometers, with all its components operating through a shared information platform.

Kalashnikov unveiled the concept on November 2, although thick fog prevented a full demonstration of its capabilities.