Russia’s state-owned company Rosel, part of the Rostec State Corporation, has begun testing an Identification-Friend-or-Foe (IFF) system for integration on drones.
Weighing less than 90 grams (3.1 ounces) and with low power consumption, the IFF system features a radar identifier directly installed on the drone. It communicates with ground stations using Russia’s state identification system to mark friendly drones from hostile or unknown ones.
It can identify unmanned aerial vehicles at an altitude of up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) and a maximum distance of 100 kilometers (62 miles).
It is unclear whether the system is resistant to electronic warfare, a prevalent occurrence on the battlefield with Ukraine.
According to Rosel, the identifier system passed the tests for its electromagnetic compatibility with other drones and will be integrated into other unmanned aerial systems for flight testing during the summer.
Among the prototypes used for the system’s integration tests was a Geodesy-401 quadcopter used for urban aerial photography and quarry mapping, signifying its flexibility aside from military applications.
Production of the initial batch is anticipated within the year.
In December 2023, Russian firm RPC Pulsar developed a miniature IFF system that can recognize drones at the same altitude and range as the Rosel identifier.
These developments enable Moscow’s enhanced drone coordination amid its increasing drone warfare against Kyiv.
