Rohde & Schwarz has developed a family of counter-drone systems, designed to detect, identify, locate, and counter unauthorized drones at an early stage. Built as a modular system-of-systems, these devices have an open interface and can be configured according to operational requirements.
The ARDRONIS solution options include ARDRONIS Detect, Locate Compact, Locate Advanced, and Effect. These devices can be integrated into permanent infrastructure, used for semi-mobile deployments, or rapidly deployed for shorter-duration operations such as VIP protection, events, or convoy security.
ARDRONIS Detect is the entry point of the system. A core strength of ARDRONIS is spatial awareness. It continuously monitors the radio spectrum to detect and identify signals from commercial drones and their remote controllers. The system compares received signals against a database of known drone and controller profiles, allowing early warning even before a drone takes off, giving operators more time to respond to a potential threat. Minimal training is required to operate it. It detects drones controlled via frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) and Wi-Fi-based control links (majority of commercial drones operate on them).
ARDRONIS Locate Compact builds on detection by determining the direction of drone signals, helping security teams understand where a drone is operating from. It is designed as a portable and quick-to-deploy solution for monitoring large areas such as airports or event venues and can be operated by a single user. The system detects analog and digital video links from commercial drones and can be integrated with other ARDRONIS components.
ARDRONIS Locate Advanced provides more precise information by locating both the drone and its pilot using advanced direction-finding technology. It can track remote-control, telemetry, and video-downlink signals to give security forces accurate situational awareness. The system supports 360-degree or sector coverage and is suitable for fixed or integrated counter-drone installations.
ARDRONIS Effect is the system’s response component. It actively disrupts drone communications by jamming control and data links, preventing unauthorized drones from operating in protected areas. The solution can jam multiple frequency bands simultaneously and adapts to changing signal conditions, making it effective against a wide range of commercial drones when used together with ARDRONIS Detect and Locate systems.
ARDRONIS has an open interface that enables integration into multivendor and multisensory environments. This allows ARDRONIS to work alongside other security systems and for communication; it uses 3G and 4G connectivity. The solution and signal databases are regularly updated, and the system is designed to support upgrades and add-on options as threats evolve and operational needs change.