In a critical development for modern aerial defense, the Ukrainian company ARes has developed a novel acoustic targeting system designed to track and identify the flight paths of hostile drones and missiles, even in the most challenging environments. Unveiled at the Brave1 Components exhibition, the system, also named ARes, represents a crucial step in countering low-flying, stealthy threats like Iranian-designed Shahed loitering munitions and First-Person View (FPV) attack drones.
Passive Detection and Tracking Capabilities
The ARes system is a passive technology, meaning it does not emit signals, making it impossible for enemy electronic warfare systems to detect or jam its operation. It works by listening for the acoustic signatures of airborne threats.
Key capabilities of the system include:
Full Hemisphere Coverage: The device is designed to scan the sky simultaneously in all directions, covering a full hemisphere to ensure no blind spots.
Acoustic Technology: It utilizes sophisticated phased-array microphone technology and bimodal beamforming to scan the space with millions of sound “beams.” This allows it to distinguish and track multiple targets simultaneously, even in noisy urban environments.
Targeting Range: Field tests have confirmed impressive detection ranges:
FPV Drones: Detection at 200–300 meters.
Shahed Drones: Detection up to 5 kilometers.
All-Weather Performance: The system remains effective in conditions that typically degrade optical and radar systems, such as cloudy weather, fog, and any time of the day or night.
Precision Targeting and Integration
The developers emphasize that the ARes system is not merely an alert mechanism; it provides precise targeting data for automated weapons and air defense operators. This is achieved through a user-friendly interface:
Operator Interface: The system is equipped with a webcam, and the detected acoustic projection is superimposed on the video feed. This visual overlay allows operators to accurately pinpoint the target’s exact direction for engagement.
Furthermore, ARes specialists are working on a compact version of the system suitable for installation on ground drones. This integration aims to create an effective countermeasure against close-range FPV drone attacks, providing essential protection for military logistics and mobile fire groups.
The company is currently seeking support from the Brave1 grant program to begin manufacturing production batches of the ARes systems for immediate deployment to the military, reflecting Ukraine’s accelerated focus on domestic, advanced counter-drone technology.
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