Electronic Warfare in the Context of the Russia–Ukraine War: Technical Analysis of “Anti-Drone” and Trench EW Systems

With the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the battlefield has acquired a completely new technological dimension. FPV drones, kamikaze drones, reusable quadcopters — all are widely used to target personnel, vehicles, and infrastructure. As a result, there is a clear need for reliable, mobile, and universal jamming systems — anti-drone devices.

Purchasing trench EW systems has become one of the most in-demand directions not only for the Armed Forces of Ukraine but also for Territorial Defense, border guards, and volunteer units. Electronic warfare (EW) against UAVs has become a daily operation for units on the frontline.

What is EW (Electronic Warfare)?

Electronic Warfare is a set of measures aimed at suppressing, disrupting, or completely destroying enemy signals in the radio frequency spectrum. In the case of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), this means interfering with control channels, telemetry, video transmission, and satellite navigation.

Main objectives of EW:

• Jamming FPV drones on 2.4 and 5.8 GHz frequencies.

• Disrupting GPS/GLONASS on 1000 MHz.

• Blocking backup control channels (433, 868, 915 MHz).

• Interfering with autopilots and feedback channels.

Types of EW Systems: Stationary, Portable, Backpack

Stationary “contra-drone”:

• Used for defending headquarters, bases, airfields.

• Power: up to 1000 W.

• Range: up to 3 km.

• Drawback: low mobility.

Portable complexes (“boombox EW,” “contra-drone”):

• Housed in sealed plastic cases.

• Up to 9 channels, with coolers, powered by batteries or generators.

• Weight: 10–15 kg.

• Ideal for frontline use: quick deployment, compact, easy to camouflage.

Backpack anti-drone systems:

• Lightweight, 7–10 kg.

• Autonomous operation: 2–3 hours.

• Range: up to 1000 m.

• Especially valued by reconnaissance and sabotage groups.

Soldiers are eager to buy trench EW, as these systems have proven highly effective in real combat, especially against FPV drones.

Frequency Bands: How Anti-Drone Works

The concept of anti-drone systems is based on jamming frequencies used by UAVs:

All contra-drone systems create interference in at least 4–5 of these ranges. Most effective systems include up to 9 active channels, each controlled by a switch.

Device Architecture: Case, Power, Cooling

Typical features of portable EW (“boombox” or counter-drone systems):

• Case: sealed plastic (IP67).

• Radio modules: labeled by frequency (“5800,” “2400,” “1000”).

• Cooling: 3–5 fans, placed at the bottom or sides.

• Antennas: SMA or N-type connectors for wideband/directional antennas.

• Power supply: Anderson, XT60, or custom cables for 12–24 V batteries.

Frontline units often buy 2–3 sets to cover multiple sectors simultaneously.

Principle of Operation: How Counter-Drone Works

After activation:

• A signal of 10–40 W is transmitted at the selected frequency.

• The antenna creates dense radiation in the 1–10 MHz band.

• If the drone is within range (500–1500 m), it loses its control signal.

Possible outcomes:

• The drone “freezes” and crashes.

• It activates “RTH” (return-to-home) mode.

• Complete disorientation (loss of GPS).

Contra-drone anti-FPV solutions have proven effective against FPV kamikazes with analog video systems (ImmersionRC, TBS, etc.). Systems with 30–50 W power on 2400–5800 MHz can create a protective radio shield over an area larger than 1 km².

Power Supply and Autonomy

Any anti-drone system, especially boombox EW, requires a stable power source. Typical module consumption: 3–6 A at 12–24 V. An 8-channel unit may consume over 150 W per hour. In the field, this means powerful batteries or generators are required.

Battery options:

• LiFePO4 (Lithium iron phosphate): best for frontline use.

• Capacity: 40–80 Ah, Voltage: 12 V.

• Runtime: 3–5 hours per full 8-channel unit.

Backpack systems typically use 15–20 Ah batteries, providing ~90 minutes of autonomy.

Antennas and Coverage

The type of antenna determines the interference coverage:

• Omni-directional: ideal for 360° defense.

• Panel: up to 90° angle, longer range.

• Horn: highly directional, up to 15°.

Example calculation of jamming range:

$$R=\frac{Pt\times Gt\times Gr}{4\pi d^2\times L}R\; =\; \backslash frac\{Pt\; \backslash times\; Gt\; \backslash times\; Gr\}\{4\backslash pi\; d^2\; \backslash times\; L\}$$

Where:

• R — coverage radius

• Pt — transmitter power (W)

• Gt — transmitter antenna gain

• Gr — drone antenna gain

• d — distance to target

• L — cable/environmental losses

For directed jamming at 2.4 GHz with a 14 dBi antenna and 10 W output, the effective radius can reach 800 m under ideal conditions.

Production Costs and Market

An 8-channel anti-drone unit costs $1200–1800 on average. Price depends on case, components, battery, and antennas. Trench EW systems can even be built in small workshops with enough technical expertise and access to parts.

Typical expenses:

• Case: $100–150

• Battery: $150–300

• Jamming modules: $50–120 each

• Antennas: $10–50 each

• Assembly & firmware: $100–200

Model Comparison and Recommendations

With the growing number of FPV drones, the deployment of anti-drone systems and the widespread effort to buy trench EW devices is both logical and strategically necessary. The combination of mobility, autonomy, and wide coverage makes contra-drone technologies indispensable for every Ukrainian unit.

Final recommendation: Constant modernization and frequency spectrum expansion are required, especially considering the emergence of new control channels. From counter-drone to contra-drone systems, all of these solutions have proven themselves effective under combat conditions.