Ukrainian Engineers Develop Drone Detector That Reveals What Russian Drones See

A Ukrainian team has developed an SDR-based drone detector that can identify radio signals from unmanned aircraft and convert intercepted transmissions into video that an operator can view.

DOU reported on October 17 that the system, called D·Vision SDR, was developed by Kyiv-based communications equipment company CODE380. The company was founded about three months ago, while development of the detector itself began roughly a year and a half earlier.

According to DOU, the device scans radio frequencies from 500 to 8,700 MHz for signals characteristic of drones. Unlike conventional detectors that rely on analog receivers to receive video transmissions, D·Vision SDR uses Software-Defined Radio technology to analyze the radio spectrum in software.

The developers told DOU that the detector can identify a drone signal and convert it into a video feed, allowing an operator to view imagery transmitted by the aircraft. The team also claimed the system scans its entire stated frequency range without "blind spots" and offers greater sensitivity than competing detectors.

DOU noted that four people worked directly on the project, while CODE380 currently has eight employees and involves another six specialists in testing and design. The detector's lead developer previously worked on similar systems and used that experience to build the new SDR-based platform.

The system has undergone field testing with Ukrainian military personnel during combat missions, according to DOU. Feedback from those trials was used to refine the device, while the developers continue releasing software updates approximately twice a month.

Software-defined detection systems offer a different approach to fixed analog receivers because signal processing can be adjusted via software as drone communication and operating frequencies change.

Ukrainian-developed detection technology is also drawing interest beyond the front line.

In early October, Lithuania announced it was deploying the SkyFortress system, which identifies low-flying drones and cruise missiles by their acoustic or electromagnetic signatures and uses artificial intelligence to track them in real time.

The deployment came weeks after NATO fighter jets shot down an unidentified drone that had entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus.

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