SIGINT Systems

Modern SIGINT equipment: effective signals intelligence systems for the battlefield

When dealing with UAVs, it is not enough to have the means to jam them. First you need to understand what is active in the spectrum, where the signal is coming from and how close the threat is to your position. This is where SIGINT equipment comes in – hardware that does not create interference, but listens to the radio spectrum and helps the operator detect enemy activity before a drone appears overhead.

In the Kvertus catalogue, this category is represented by the KVERTUS MS AZIMUTH SIGINT system. It is a stationary SIGINT complex for monitoring, direction-finding and analysing signals from UAVs, control stations, repeaters and other emitters.

KVERTUS MS AZIMUTH: what this SIGINT device does

KVERTUS MS AZIMUTH is a SIGINT device that operates in passive mode. It does not emit its own signals, does not jam the spectrum and does not reveal its installation site. Its task is different: to detect activity in the radio-frequency spectrum and show the operator the bearing to the signal source.

This approach is valuable when a drone is not yet visible, but is already transmitting data, receiving commands or working via a relay. For a unit, this means extra time to react: reposition, ready EW assets, warn personnel or adjust vehicle routes.

Why signals intelligence equipment is needed on the frontline

UAVs are no longer isolated, occasional threats. On a single axis, Mavic, FPV and fixed-wing UAVs can be operating at the same time. Some of them cannot be quickly seen or heard, but their activity can be detected in the spectrum.

Signals intelligence equipment helps you understand what is happening around the position before the attack, not after it. A SIGINT complex gives the operator information about the signal, its bearing and the nature of the activity.

In practice, this is especially important for strongpoints, command locations, vehicle concentration areas and sectors where enemy reconnaissance operates regularly.

What SIGINT hardware can you order?

In this category, KVERTUS MS AZIMUTH is available as a SIGINT device for stationary or positional use. It can be employed as a standalone tool for spectrum control or integrated into a wider system together with electronic warfare assets.

This SIGINT system detects signals from UAVs, operator control stations, repeaters, radars and other technical emitters. When two AZIMUTH complexes are deployed, signal triangulation becomes possible, helping to determine the coordinates of the emitter more accurately.

For units planning to buy a SIGINT complex, it is important to consider not only detection range, but also the system’s ability to process data quickly in a congested spectrum.

Key characteristics of KVERTUS MS AZIMUTH

KVERTUS MS AZIMUTH is designed to work with a wide range of signals. The SIGINT system analyses the spectrum, determines the bearing to the emitter and helps the operator maintain real-time situational awareness.

Key technical capabilities include:

– detection of any signal in the 30–6,000 MHz band;

– detection range: multirotor UAVs up to 30 km, fixed-wing UAVs up to 150 km;

– provision of full information on the target’s radio signal: frequency, bearing, signal type (control, relay, telemetry, video), protocol type, spread factor and more;

– video interception capability;

– triangulation with a minimum number of systems.

These parameters enable the SIGINT equipment to be used for continuous monitoring of the air and electromagnetic environment.

How the system works in real conditions

During operation, AZIMUTH continuously scans the spectrum and detects signal sources. The operator sees not just the fact of activity, but also its bearing, signal type and how the situation is evolving within the monitored zone.

This is critical in sectors where the enemy regularly employs UAVs for additional reconnaissance, fire adjustment or vehicle hunting. The SIGINT device helps detect preparations for such actions earlier than when the drone reaches the position.

In combination with other systems, AZIMUTH data can be used to cue EW assets. First, the SIGINT complex detects and classifies the signal; then the unit decides which countermeasures to apply.

How to choose and buy reliable SIGINT equipment

Before you buy SIGINT equipment, you should define the tasks it must support. Some units need long-range detection of fixed-wing UAVs; others prioritise control of the near zone, where multirotor drones and repeaters are active.

SIGINT device price and overall SIGINT complex cost depend on functionality, configuration and intended use case. If you need to buy a SIGINT complex for continuous spectrum monitoring, KVERTUS MS AZIMUTH is a dedicated solution for early signal detection, analysis of enemy activity and operation in a saturated radio environment.

Modern SIGINT equipment gives a unit the most important advantage – information before the threat becomes obvious. That is why KVERTUS MS AZIMUTH is used where it is critical to see the electromagnetic situation in advance and act not blindly, but based on real, collected data.