Ukraine develops sensors to detect Russian Shahed drones

Ukraine has developed mobile acoustic sensors for early warning, mounted on a vehicle during a NATO exercise to test drone detection systems.

The technology works by listening for the unique sound signatures of drones and uses a fixed network to monitor aircraft near the Ukrainian-Russian border, according to Asharq.

Ukraine has continued to advance this technology throughout the war, including a compact tactical version specifically designed to detect drones equipped with fiber optics.

The company behind the technology said it was developed in response to unforeseen circumstances during a multinational training exercise, where various systems had to operate together in a shared environment.

The acoustic warning sensors were installed on a mobile vehicle, which goes beyond the usual deployment method, as sensors are typically mounted on fixed infrastructure such as communications towers or other permanent sites.

Within Ukraine, the core network relies on sensors permanently installed on radio towers and similar infrastructure at heights of 10 to 12 meters, strategically positioned near crossing points along the Ukrainian-Russian border to detect Shahed drones, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft before they reach populated areas or critical infrastructure.