New systems are already being used by brigades, the Ukrainian security services, military services, police, rescue teams and healthcare professionals
In a war scenario increasingly dominated by drones, detecting a threat seconds before impact can be the difference between surviving or being caught without a chance to react. In Ukraine, where FPV drone attacks have become routine, detection systems are gaining a central role and could become an essential tool far beyond the front lines.
These devices make it possible to identify signals emitted between drones and operators several kilometers away, offering precious time to seek shelter, activate electronic jammers or prepare countermeasures. The speed of response has become critical, both for military personnel on the ground and for emergency responders and journalists in combat zones.
One of the prominent companies in this sector is Kara Dag Technologies, which presents itself as a reference in the development of this technology. The Obriy series, whose latest versions, the 1.3C and 1.4C, recently arrived in the field, has collected positive user and operational reviews.
According to company co-founder Andriy Poberezhniuk, the systems are already being used by brigades, the Ukrainian security services, military services, police, rescue teams and healthcare professionals.
One of the main advantages is the detection range. While many systems are limited to identifying frequencies associated with commercial drones, Obriy’s latest models can operate between 1 and 6 GHz, covering virtually the entire spectrum used by FPV drones.
Looking to the future, the next generation intends to expand this capacity to frequencies between 300 MHz and 6 GHz, in response to the growing use of less conventional weapons.
The next version, Obriy 1.5, should also incorporate artificial intelligence capable of analyzing frequencies and identifying with greater precision the exact type of approaching drone. The company also intends to add visual and acoustic detection, in addition to strengthening the sharing of data collected on different combat fronts.
For those responsible for Kara Dag, the impact of this technology goes far beyond Ukraine. With the increasing use of drones in different conflict scenarios, including by pro-Iranian militias in the Middle East, detection systems could become as essential as a helmet or a ballistic vest.
The company even admits concern about the future use of these means by terrorist groups, arguing that access to effective detection systems will have to become more accessible to respond to threats that it considers inevitable.
Currently, detectors can identify drones with analogue and digital transmission. In analog models, it is even possible to intercept the video signal and view what the enemy operator is observing. Digital systems, although encrypted, continue to be detectable, allowing at least advance warning.
More difficult remains the detection of drones guided by fiber optics, which do not require radio communications. According to estimates cited by researchers in the field, heard by Euromaidan, some Russian units already use this type of technology in up to half of their FPV operations.
Still, the company Kara Dag considers these systems unlikely to replace traditional drones, as they have practical limitations, such as greater takeoff weight and physical vulnerability of the cables.
