Ukraine Upgrades Pluton System to Detect Mesh Modems in Russian Drones
Ukrainian defense technology company Infozahyst has announced an upgrade to its Pluton drone detection and warning system to identify mesh modems used to control Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The addition of mesh modems has allowed Moscow’s drones to penetrate more deeply into Ukrainian territory.
Infozahyst, the manufacturer of the Pluton drone detection electronic support measures (ESM) system, has enhanced its capabilities to identify new threats, particularly in light of Russia's utilization of mesh modems in their drones. This development came to light on Facebook on Tuesday, November 10. The use of mesh modems was initially suspected in April and later confirmed when components of an XK-F358 mesh modem were recovered from a Gerbera drone.
These components were identified by Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, a technological adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Mesh networks allow a drone to function as both a receiver and a signal repeater, extending the range of control and enabling operators to modify flight paths as necessary. This also makes it significantly more challenging for electronic warfare (EW) systems to disrupt communication channels, as the network automatically seeks an alternative data link if the original connection is lost.
The Pluton system, designed to detect a broad spectrum of aerial targets including reconnaissance and first-person view (FPV) attack drones, can now monitor the primary frequencies used by Russia – 1.5 and 3.4 GHz – more swiftly over an extended range of up to 70 kilometers (44 miles). This upgrade facilitates the simultaneous remote monitoring and partial control of several Pluton systems via a unique VPN network.
The system operates on either a vehicle's electrics or a standalone battery, enabling up to four hours of functionality. The Pluton system utilizes an algorithm capable of decoding channels and cross-referencing them against a signal database, which allows for the continuous updating and customization of the frequency plan. It can not only ascertain the distance of a detected UAV but also estimate the probable "time of arrival" at its intended target.
Infozahyst has already configured the system to interface with the Plastun-RP-3000M tactical direction-finding system, enabling the automatic detection of a drone's location and type. The company plans to incorporate FPV digital video transmission detection and control of counter-drone systems in the forthcoming Pluton update, effectively merging the functionalities of multiple devices into a unified system.
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