Germany Unveils Neptor 350 km/h Drone Interceptor as U.S. Army Seeks Defense Against Mass UAV Attacks

German company THYRA displayed its Neptor high-speed counter-drone interceptor at Euro Defence Expo 2026 in Essen. The 3.2-kilogram aircraft is advertised with a top speed of 350 km/h, a 0.5-kilogram payload and a maximum range of 24 kilometres, using thermal sensing for target acquisition. It is intended for autonomous interception from mobile or remote launch positions as a lower-cost defensive layer against massed unmanned aircraft. The exhibition coincides with wider U.S. Army interest in affordable counter-UAS systems, but no American purchase or selection of Neptor was announced.