In a unique crossover between gaming and defense training, a Russian university has developed a highly realistic anti-drone rifle simulator using Unreal Engine — the same technology behind popular video games like Fortnite and PUBG.
This new simulator aims to provide hands-on training for military and security personnel in operating anti-drone rifles, without the cost or risk of using live equipment. The team behind the project says the simulator mirrors real-world drone flight patterns and response scenarios, giving trainees a lifelike feel of actual drone encounters.
The innovation is seen as a cost-effective and efficient tool at a time when drone threats are becoming more common across the world. With unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) being used in both military and civilian settings — for surveillance, attacks, or even smuggling — the need for rapid response tools and training has increased dramatically.
Using Unreal Engine allowed the developers to build complex physics and detailed environments that replicate various terrains and weather conditions. Trainees can now simulate taking down drones in urban areas, forests, or mountainous zones, adapting to different levels of difficulty.
An instructor involved in the project explained, “This kind of simulator provides safer and more flexible training. And since it’s digital, we can regularly update it with new scenarios based on the latest drone technologies.”
Experts believe this is just the beginning of how simulation and gaming tech can support security and military systems worldwide.
This development shows how game engines are evolving beyond entertainment, entering serious and strategic fields like defense and public safety.