Ukraine Upgrades Pluton System to Detect Mesh Modems in Russian Drones

Infozahyst, the developer of the Pluton drone detection electronic support measures (ESM) system, announced that it has extended capabilities of the equipment to detect new threats, specifically in response to the use of mesh modems in Russian drones on Facebook on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Russia’s use of mesh modems was suspected in April and confirmed after the components of an XK-F358 mesh modem recovered from a Gerbera drone in April and identified by Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, a technological adviser to the President Volodymyr Zelensky.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Mesh networks allow the individual user, in this case a drone, to act as both a receiver and a signal repeater. These extend the range over which control can be exerted and that allows the operator to adjust drone flight paths until the final impact. The mesh modem also makes it significantly more difficult for electronic warfare (EW) systems to jam communication channels as the network automatically searches for an alternative data link if the operational connection is lost. The Pluton upgrade Pluton was developed to detect a wide range of aerial targets, including reconnaissance and first-person view (FPV) attack drones. Pluton is now able to monitor the main known frequencies used by Russia – 1.5 and 3.4 GHz – more rapidly over an increased range of up to 70 kilometers (44 miles). This upgrade allows remote monitoring and partial control of several Pluton systems simultaneously over a dedicated, special VPN network. Other Topics of Interest Zelensky: Putin Will Return in 1, 2 or 5 Years if Ukraine Gives Up Donbas Zelensky says continued European support is vital to prevent Russia from expanding hybrid attacks and threatening the continent. The system can be powered using a vehicle’s electrics or using a stand-alone battery, that allows up to four hours of operation. The system employs an algorithm that is able to decode channels and match them against a signal database that also allows the frequency plan to be updated and customized. It can determine both the distance of the detected UAV but also calculate likely “time of arrival” at its target. Infozahyst has already engineered the system to allow it to link with the Plastun-RP-3000M tactical direction-finding system which enables it to not only detect a drone but to also automatically determine its location and the type of drone. According to the Militarnyi website the company will include an ability to detect FPV digital video transmission detection and control of counter-drone systems in the next Pluton update. This will combine the functions of several separate devices into a single system. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.