Upgrade of Shahed antennas to 32 elements complicates the work of Ukrainian electronic warfare systems

Change in technical characteristics of Russian UAVs

The Russian side has significantly modified the design of Shahed strike drones, doubling the number of elements on their satellite navigation antennas. Instead of the previous 16 elements, systems with 32 are now used. This update is aimed at increasing the aircraft's resistance to electronic warfare (EW) systems, making their suppression significantly more difficult.

Explanation from a defence technology expert

Ukrainian military officer and presidential adviser on defence technology development, Serhiy Beskrestnov, who operates under the callsign "Flash", reported on these technical changes. He described in detail the mechanism for guiding enemy drones and the methods of counteraction employed by Ukrainian defenders.

According to Beskrestnov, Shaheds reach their targets via two main methods: remote control by an operator using MESH modems, or through satellite navigation, specifically the GPS system. To block guidance via satellite signals, Ukrainian forces employ EW systems that generate radio jamming. In response, Russians install CRPA-type antennas on the drones, which are capable of mitigating the impact of such jamming.

Technological race and challenges for air defence

The expert explained that increasing the number of elements in the antenna allows for more effective counteraction to sources of radio jamming. If previously a certain level of EW system power was sufficient to suppress signals from 16-element antennas, the new 32-element systems require Ukraine to increase the quantity of equipment to achieve a similar effect.

"Flash" notes that this dynamic creates additional difficulties for Ukrainian air defence. For Russia, improving the drone antenna is a simpler task, whereas the Ukrainian side has to expand its network of electronic warfare systems.