Ukrainian Gekata reconnaissance drone enters active testing phase
30 August, 2023 Gekata reconnaissance drone. Photo credits: Infozahyst The Gekata ELINT complex, with a target detection range of up to 450 km, should undergo tests and appear on the battlefield.
The developers of the drone, from the Infozahyst Scientific Research & Production Center, have informed Militarnyi journalists of their plans. The Gekata Electronic Intelligence Aviation Complex, integrated into a PD-2 unmanned aerial system produced by another Ukrainian company, Ukrspetsystems, might provide the Defense Forces with new capabilities in the field of intelligence. Due to the high position of the antenna of the complex during flight, the signal reception horizon is significantly expanded.
That will allow a drone to detect sources of electromagnetic radiation at distances of hundreds of kilometers. However, as the developers say, these characteristics need to be checked in the field. "Yes, we plan combat use by the end of the year.
Then the production of a full-fledged complex of several UAVs," said the company's representatives.
Reconnaissance drone from the Gekata complex. Photo credits: Infozahyst
Gekata features
When talking about their complex, the developers emphasize its versatility and strong characteristics. "Unlike Western systems, which ensure only one task [accomplishment], this is a full-fledged system that performs two tasks: collecting new signals from enemy equipment, as well as classifying already known threats and determining their positions," the company assures.
Gekata is able to detect a variety of radio signals in passive mode, including signals from enemy radar systems and EW countries. The system allows you to track up to 200 moving targets simultaneously in a circle in the 360-degree zone. The complex is able to detect, classify, and distinguish signals from enemy means.
It automatically compares the detected signal with the signature base and notifies the operator whether it is the signal of the radars of the Buk, Osa, S-300 SAMs or even a MiG-31 interceptor. "At the moment, a very large signal base has already been collected for the intelligence complex, which is constantly being replenished," the developers say. Compared to classic stationary electronic intelligence systems, Gekata can move quickly, adapting to the dynamics of hostilities.
In addition, due to the altitude at which the antenna is located, it can track objects at distances of up to 450 kilometers.
Gekata reconnaissance drone. Photo credits: Infozahyst
The passive mode of the onboard electronic intelligence station, in combination with the detection range, will allow the complex to work beyond the limits of reaching Russian air defense systems. The range of operating frequencies of the system is 2 GHz -18 GHz, which allows it to detect a wide range of radiation sources.
However, such parameters are insufficient to detect infantry clusters by radiation at the frequencies of GSM networks (1.9898 GHz -850 GHz). As to the carrier of the reconnaissance complex, namely the PD-2 UAV, it is capable of covering distances of up to 1000 kilometers and being in the air for up to 12 hours. The latter parameter is extremely important in the context of monitoring the battle area.
Gekata is being developed on the basis of a PD-2 UAV with a vertical take-off and landing system, which will allow its operators to lift a drone into the air directly from the ground without runways dependency.
Gekata reconnaissance drone. Photo credits: Infozahyst
The Infozahyst company is also developing a ground-based electronic intelligence complex with similar functions. The company provides for the possibility of unifying both complexes into a single system that will include ground stations and aviation-based stations.
In this way, they will complement each other and perform common tasks.