Russia is upgrading its attack drones with larger anti-jamming antennas to counter Ukraine's electronic warfare systems, potentially making it harder for Kyiv to disrupt incoming Russian strikes. The upgrades are aimed at protecting satellite-navigation signals from interference, allowing drones to maintain their programmed flight paths even in areas covered by Ukrainian jamming systems.
According to a report by Defense News, Russia is equipping its drones with upgraded Kometa satellite-navigation modules developed by Russian company VNIIR-Progress. The modules use multiple antenna elements to identify and suppress electronic interference, helping drones maintain navigation despite attempts to disrupt their satellite signals.
Russia is already using 16-element antenna arrays at scale and preparing 20-element versions for serial production. Ukrainian forces have also detected Shahed-type drones carrying larger 32-element arrays during attacks on Kyiv, the report said, citing Ukrainian electronic-warfare specialist Serhii Beskrestnov.
The upgraded Kometa modules use multiple small receiving elements, known as patch antennas, arranged in an array.
These elements help the drone distinguish genuine satellite-navigation signals from interference generated by Ukrainian jamming systems.
By identifying the direction from which interference originates, the…