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jansaam edited this page Nov 14, 2025 · 5 revisions

Framework to detect and localize low flying Shahed/Geran drones.

This project is inspired by the DIGNITAS-1 challenge at EDTH Berlin.

Cities and critical infrastructure in Ukraine experience frequent attacks from Shahed/Geran drones. While many of these enemy drones are successfully detected and intercepted a significant number of attack drones still reach their target causing massive destruction and loss of life. One particular problem are low flying attack drones avoiding radar detection utilizing ground occlusion. Our project aims to design a swarm based framework that improves the detection and precise localization of Shahed drones in order to supply interceptors with actionable information to increase their success rate. The concept relies on the idea that low flying drones can in principle be detected from above. We propose a partially autonomous swarm of flying reconnaissance platforms using multiple commercially available sensors.

Design guidelines:

  • Usage of cheap, readily available parts
  • Mountable on various platforms with long flight durations (fixed wing, drones, gliders, aerostats)
  • Communication relying on available technology (the protected area is controlled by the defender)
  • Low complexity --> fast deployment
  • Scalable
  • Can be easily improved adapted to changing threats
  • Ties in with existing systems
    • receives intel from other detection sources like ground based radar
    • provides data to interception units
  • Can be operated with minimal human control.

Work plan

  1. Research:
    • List which types of signals can be used to detect drones from a flying platform
    • Find commercially available sensors and extract specifications
    • Collect ideas how to overcome the ground occlusion problem
      • Is there more than gliders, and aerostats?
    • Collect info about existing interception methods and extract simulation parameters (interception range, speed, density)
  2. Build potential reconnaissance platforms
    • Compose hypothetical platforms containing different sensors
    • Compose capabilities (detection range, timings,...) from basic specs
    • Calculate unit price
    • Extract parameters for the simulation
    • Estimate reasonable volumes for procurement & production
  3. Simulation
    • Should provide info about density of platforms needed to achieve a certains probability of detection
    • Key parameters: density of recon platforms and interceptors

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