Ukrainian defense firm AReS Technologies is bringing a fresh approach to countering drones and other aerial threats with a next-gen tech built for challenging environments.
The company has introduced a new acoustic targeting system that tracks drones and missiles in real time, providing a passive alternative to radar and optical sensors.
Revealed at the recent Brave1 exhibition, the system can detect small first-person view (FPV) drones, Shahed loitering munitions, and other airborne threats even in fog, clouds, or darkness.
It can reportedly track FPV drones at 200 to 300 meters (656 to 984 feet) and Shahed-type drones at distances up to 5 kilometers (3 miles), based on field trials.
Acoustic Targeting in Action
The system uses phased-array microphones and beamforming to sweep the sky with millions of acoustic “beams,” detecting both loud and subtle sounds.
By isolating individual signals, it can track multiple targets simultaneously, maintaining accuracy and situational awareness even in cluttered or noisy environments.
Covering a full hemisphere, the acoustic tech operates entirely passively, continuously monitoring all directions without emitting any signals that could give away its position.
A live acoustic overlay on a webcam feed helps operators visualize each target’s movement and direction, blending sound and sight into a single actionable interface.
A Smaller Variant
AReS Technologies is working on a compact version that could be slotted into ground-based drones to strengthen defenses against FPV drone attacks and protect supply lines.
While some components are sourced from abroad, the core circuit boards and software are developed in Ukraine.
The company is also pursuing a Brave1 grant to begin production for the Ukrainian military, bolstering defenses amid rising drone threats.
