Radio frequency jamming is the best protection against drones. To work, it must broadcast noise on the same frequency band that enemy drones use to communicate. Of course, drone operators are constantly changing the frequencies they use, and jammers must also keep changing to remain effective. The alternative is to jam all frequencies all the time?
Typically, a signal jammers can only handle one frequency band at a time. For example, the popular Breakwater (“Volnorez”) Russian jammer, which is about the size of a dinner plate and attaches to the outside of a tank with magnets, can be set to block one of twenty different frequency ranges. Breakwater can shoot down any drone using that specific frequency from two hundred meters away, making the vehicle immune to FPV attacks on that frequency band.
But if it’s the wrong frequency, a drone will fly right over and destroy your tank. This means you have to know which frequency the enemy is currently using, or put twenty different jammers on your vehicle.
Ukrainian electronic warfare expert Sergii Flash led an attack column last week to describe the idea of Russia’s new “Frankentank.” Like most Russian tanks, it has a roof shield, but on top of that is a wooden pallet piled high with electronic warfare gear.
“It’s like something out of Mad Max,” Flash wrote on his Telegram channel. “The Russians have built a massive structure on a pallet with everything they have. There are three 800/900/2.4/5.8 patch antenna panels around the circle, and blocks of 700-1000 bands added to all of them. From above, on some wooden boards, in a circle. All tied up with ropes.”
The drone jammer only works if there’s a power source, though. While some modern Russian tanks have auxiliary power units, many don’t. That means when the tank’s engine is shut off, the jammer stops working. But the Russians have thought of that.
“Also installed generators and batteries,” Flash said.
The Ukrainian reconnaissance drone spotted the Russian armored column, and the FPV attack drone flew out to attack. But the jammer worked.
“Our FPVs are dropping like flies on all frequencies,” Flash said.
Reports say four FPVs were lost before a fifth broke through and destroyed the giant jammer tank.
“It was easier for the remaining forces [to eliminate them],” Flash said.
