New US counter-drone system tracks operators miles away in real time

A drone pilot operating near Washington, D.C. was located within minutes — without ever realising he had been detected — highlighting the growing sophistication of mobile counter-drone systems now deployed to protect sensitive airspace.

The detection was carried out using the Detect, Track and Identify (DTI) system developed by DZYNE Technologies, which pinpointed the operator’s position from 17.9 kilometres away, according to a detailed report by Defence Blog.

The system works by intercepting the radio frequency link between a drone and its ground control station, identifying the signal and calculating the operator’s location. Mounted on a military police vehicle and connected to a tablet inside the cabin, the DTI provided real-time coordinates using the Military Grid Reference System.

Adam E. Wirth, Business Development Manager for Products and Training for the U.S. Army and Air Force at DZYNE, described the performance as “damn impressive.”

Crucially, the system does not just detect drones — it identifies the operator controlling them. The ground control station (GCS), essentially the pilot’s transmitter, becomes the key target. Locating it allows security forces to track the individual behind the device, addressing a long-standing gap in counter-drone operations.

The DTI also integrates spectrum analysis tools, detailed reporting capabilities, and AI-assisted signal identification. When paired with DZYNE’s Dronebuster jamming system, it forms a “detect-then-defeat” chain: the DTI locates the drone and its operator, and the jammer disrupts the control link.

According to Wirth, the combined systems were used successfully over several days of high-tempo operations in the Washington area, detecting and neutralising multiple drone targets.

The technology is further integrated into the company’s Autonomous Vehicle Kit (AVK), which allows detection and jamming equipment to be mounted on a wide range of vehicles. This mobile setup creates a detection zone of approximately 14 kilometres in diametre, though performance can exceed that under favourable conditions.

DZYNE reports that in real-world operations, the system has achieved geolocation at distances of up to 34 kilometres— a figure significantly beyond the typical range of comparable systems, which often operate within single-digit kilometres due to interference from terrain and urban environments.

Such extended range provides critical response time for security forces, allowing threats to be identified and addressed minutes earlier than previously possible.

The use of directional jamming technology in the AVK also reflects a shift in tactical thinking. Unlike omnidirectional jammers that broadcast signals broadly, directional systems focus energy toward a specific target. This may reduce the system’s own electromagnetic signature, making it harder to detect by adversaries monitoring the spectrum — an increasingly important consideration in contested environments.

The National Capital Region has become one of the most active areas in the United States for counter-drone operations, with repeated incursions over military installations and government facilities driving the adoption of permanent detection and response capabilities.

Operating these systems from mobile military police vehicles offers a flexible solution, enabling forces to adapt quickly as threats shift location. Unlike fixed defences, mobile platforms can reposition in real time — a crucial advantage against drones, which are fast, unpredictable, and often difficult to track.

By Sabina Mammadli