Electronic Warfare
Electronic Warfare
Jamming, spoofing, and spectrum operations.
About Electronic Warfare
Jamming attacks the radio link that steers a drone, or the satellite signal it navigates by. Ukraine's Ai-Petri system, shown outside the country for the first time at the MSPO show in Kielce in September, jams drone control links and guided bombs across 300 MHz to 6 GHz.
Drone makers are answering with fibre. A drone steered down a thin glass cable has no radio link to jam. Of the drone models Ukraine's defence ministry cleared for its forces this year, 231 are flown through fibre-optic cable; it also cleared 64 electronic warfare and signals intelligence systems.
Fibre also defeats detection. Most counter-drone sensors listen for radio emissions, and a fibre-optic drone sends none.
The Pentagon now writes this into its orders. Its latest Drone Dominance request says every drone must be "resilient to RF jamming and GNSS denial", and fibre-optic control is encouraged.
Coverage
Red Cat Signs With Ukraine's Sine on Drone Navigation Without GPS
The deal covers Red Cat's boats and drones. In late October its Black Widow page moved flight without GPS to a version not yet specified.
A Chinese Border County Is Buying Three Counter-Drone Lasers
Tashkurgan, which borders Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, awarded ¥10.99 million for three counter-drone stations; lasers are half of it.
Pentagon Plans $450M Order for 60,000 Jam-Resistant Drones
Prices are fixed at $3,000 and $5,000 a drone, plus the warhead. Every bidder must fly through jamming, and fibre-optic links are encouraged.
Ukraine's Ai-Petri Jammer Makes Its Export Debut in Poland
The Ai-Petri electronic warfare system, in Ukrainian service since 2024, was shown abroad for the first time at MSPO 2026 in Kielce.
Hidden Level Lands $100M OTA for Passive Counter-UAS Sensing
Hidden Level's $100M OTA creates a route to scale passive counter-UAS sensing across Department of War customers—but it is not guaranteed revenue.
Ukrainian Drone Teams Beat NATO Forces in Aurora 2026 Drill
Fewer than 20 Ukrainian FPV pilots repeatedly shut down Aurora 2026, destroying 28 of 32 vehicles in one engagement and an airfield in 20 minutes.
US Army Requests $994M for Counter-Drone Tech in FY27
The Army's FY27 budget request includes $994 million for small counter-UAS capabilities, nearly double the $596 million enacted for FY26.
Ukraine Signs 11 Drone Deals as Arms Exports Slowly Begin
The deals are frameworks with secret terms. Export rules took effect in July, but the fast track was slow to issue its first permits.
Shield AI Selected for Navy's $800M V-BAT ISR Contract Pool
Shield AI will compete for up to $800M in Navy ISR task orders using its V-BAT VTOL drone.
Drones Are Now a Core Risk at Major Public Events
A CIS white paper on FIFA World Cup 2026 security lays out how drones have become a frontline threat at large-scale public gatherings.
Interceptor Drones Tamed the Shahed; Jet Shaheds Are Harder
Ukraine stopped 90% of drones in March, much of it with cheap interceptors. Against jet Shaheds it stops 55-60%, Zelensky says.
Pentagon Commits $600M to Counter-Drone Systems
JIATF-401 committed over $600M in counter-UAS capabilities for Operation Epic Fury as experts warn investment is overdue.
PLA Drone Doctrine: Swarms, AI, and Cognitive Collapse
A translated PLA report reveals China's air warfare future: autonomous drone swarms, hypersonic strikes, and AI warfare.
Russia Launches 172 Drones at Ukraine in Single Night Attack
Russia hit Ukraine with 172 Shahed and Gerbera drones overnight April 1-2. Air defenses downed 147. Twenty-two drones struck targets across 12 locations.
Ukraine Establishes Dedicated UAS Command
Ukraine created a standalone UAS command to centralize drone interception, backed by expanded recruitment and infrastructure.
The Drone Swarm Threat Is Coming. Counter-UAS Is Not Ready.
Defense experts say armed drone swarms are the next battlefield threat — and the biggest obstacle to countering them is US military bureaucracy.
PDW Raises $110M With Booz Allen Backing for AI Drones
Performance Drone Works raised $110M while ORAN Development Company secured $45M, both backed by Booz Allen’s venture arm.
Russia is shipping upgraded Shahed drones back to Iran
Russia is transferring improved Shahed drone variants to Iran, including versions with better navigation and anti-jamming.
US Army tests Apache-launched A700 drone in six months
The US Army demonstrated an Apache-launched A700 drone capability developed in under six months.
Companies
AeroVironment
US manufacturer of small tactical UAS, loitering munitions and counter-UAS systems, transformed in scale by its 2025 acquisition of BlueHalo.
United States
Anduril Industries
US defense technology company building autonomous weapons, counter-UAS, and AI command software, and manufacturing them at its own Arsenal-1 plant in Ohio.
United States
Boeing
Boeing is a US aerospace manufacturer with commercial-airplane, defense and space, and fleet-services businesses.
United States
Booz Allen Hamilton
US management and technology consultancy serving federal defense, intelligence and civil agencies, with large AI, cyber and autonomy practices.
United States
Dedrone
US counter-drone company, now part of Axon, providing airspace security platforms for military bases, prisons, airports and critical infrastructure.
United States
DroneShield
Australian counter-drone company producing detection, tracking, and defeat systems for military, government, and critical infrastructure customers.
Australia
Fortem Technologies
US counter-drone company producing radar detection and autonomous interceptor drones for airspace security at airports, stadiums and military sites.
United States
Frontline Robotics
Ukrainian defense robotics company making the Zoom reconnaissance drone, the Linza bomber and logistics drone, and the Buria remote weapon module.
Ukraine
Products
Funding
Series C
Sequoia Capital, American Strategic Technology Fund, Interlagos, Valor Equity Partners, Allen & Company, Thiel Capital, Spark Capital, Dylan Field
Neros TechnologiesSeries D
Blackstone, Noteus, Airbus, Advent, BOND, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Wellington Management, A.P. Moller Holding, Elephant Lake Ventures, Balderton, HV Capital
Quantum SystemsSeries A
Booz Allen Ventures, Cisco Investments, Nokia, NVIDIA, AT&T, MTN, Telecom Italia, Phoenix Venture Partners
ORAN Development CompanyContracts
U.S. Navy
Boeing
Not-to-exceed IDIQ for system improvements, configuration development, integration, production…
U.S. Army
Raytheon
Counter-drone contracts for components of the LIDS system, built around the KuRFS radar and Coyote…
U.S. Coast Guard
Shield AI
Order 70Z02326F93130011 to add sensors to current and future V-BAT operations, running to 30…
Transportation Security Administration
Dedrone Defense
Split award for fixed and portable counter-drone capability built on a D-Fend EnforceAir2 system…
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Dedrone Defense
Survey, installation, integration, testing and support of a counter-drone sensor suite, task order…