French Army Develops the BA2D Able to Detect and Neutralize FPV Drones.

A non-commissioned officer from the 54th Signals Regiment has developed a device aimed at detecting and neutralizing First Person View (FPV) drones, which are increasingly adapted for military use. Originally designed for civilian recreation, FPV drones have been modified by entities like the Islamic State to carry and drop grenades and mortar shells. The simplicity and low cost of these drones have led to their widespread military adaptation, particularly in Ukraine, where they have posed significant challenges due to their speed and stealth capabilities.
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This credit card-sized sensor can detect drones based on his training and the regiment's expertise in the electromagnetic spectrum (Picture source: French MoD )

The war in Ukraine has increasingly featured the use of drones, particularly FPV drones. Numerous videos on social media depict the use of kamikaze drones targeting individual soldiers. Consequently, it seems timely to develop new countermeasures to these attacks, particularly those that could be available to every soldier.

Recognizing the potential threats posed by these drones, Sergeant David, a recent cyberdefense graduate from the Military School of Saint-Cyr-l'École, invented the Drone Action and Detection Device (BA2D). This credit card-sized sensor can detect drones based on his training and the regiment's expertise in the electromagnetic spectrum.

The device operates effectively in various environments, including dense forests, without adding extra weight to soldiers' equipment.

Detecting hostile drones is crucial, but the ability to neutralize them could provide an even greater tactical advantage. The BA2D aims to disrupt the communication between a drone and its controller, potentially rendering it ineffective. This technology, less costly than civilian alternatives, could be mass-produced and deployed across different army regiments.

The 54th Signals Regiment of the French Army is at the forefront of military innovation, focusing on technologies that reduce the weight of their transmitters' equipment, which can reach up to sixty kilograms. Inspired by challenges identified during external operations and training exercises, often by recruits, the regiment's commander initiated an innovation unit in 2022.

This unit consolidates and advances promising ideas by offering the requisite expertise for project development. For 2023, the defense innovation agency has approved several projects, including Acacia, BA2D, and Jericho, totaling over six initiatives.

Defense News April 2024