Ukraine unveils pocket receiver to detect Russian drones without exposing troops

What D-Vision SDR can do

The device uses software-defined radio (SDR) technology and can scan from 500 MHz to 8.7 GHz without blind spots.

Thanks to its software flexibility, the receiver can be easily updated to accommodate new Russian UAV specifications.

The device's key technical specifications include:

Weight: Approximately 290 grams, making it half the weight of comparable Ukrainian products.

Operating range: It can intercept analog video feeds from distances of up to 10 kilometers at frequencies ranging from 540 MHz to 6 GHz. At higher frequencies, the range is 3.5 to 5 kilometers.

Coverage of emerging threats: The receiver fully covers the 4.1–4.5 GHz frequency band, which Russia's new Molniya strike drones switched to in June.

Comparison with other Ukrainian solutions

In the passive drone sensor market, D-Vision stands out for its record-low weight compared with other domestically developed products:

• Vydun 7.5 by the Babai project weighs about 0.9 kilograms and operates at frequencies of up to 7.5 GHz

• SENSE-4 by Contra-drone weighs 600 grams and covers frequencies of up to 8.2 GHz

• Chuyka 3.0 by BlueBird Tech weighs up to 650 grams and can be upgraded to support frequencies of up to 8.8 GHz.

Challenges, shift to digital

Because analog drones transmit video without encryption, receivers let operators see Russian UAVs' flight path and target in advance, before they strike.

However, experts warn that Russia will eventually switch entirely to digital video feeds and fiber-optic control systems, which current handheld detectors and stationary stations are not yet equipped to handle.

Ukraine's military tech industry is already preparing for future challenges by designing new devices with upgrade capabilities.

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