Signal Jammer Tech

What are drone jammers?

A drone is an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle that can be operated from a distance using a specific remote control. This technology is distinguished by its high efficiency and reliability, allowing users to fulfill their objectives at a lower cost. However, a significant number of drone owners are concerned about the risk of their devices being compromised. Such incidents could cause damage and necessitate the purchase of a new drone, leading to extra expenses. To achieve your aims while mitigating risks, it is vital to be informed about the function of a drone jammer.

The continuous evolution of modern tracking technologies has facilitated the easy determination of individuals' locations and activities. Tracking devices, including drones, are actively employed for surveillance rather than solely for entertainment. This has led users to seek ways to shield themselves from negative external influences, enhance their security measures, and secure high-quality services at the most affordable rates.

To avoid being monitored by your neighbors, you can take several proactive measures. It is important to follow specific rules and details in this regard. However, attempting to block a drone's signal without proper understanding may lead to complications. A drone jammer is a modern apparatus intended to interfere with drone operations, thus decreasing the likelihood of being tracked. The device operates on a relatively simple principle, yet it is remarkably effective, providing significant advantages at a minimal investment.

Signal jammers are effective against drones

Signal jammers serve the primary function of blocking unwanted signals, which helps to lower the chances of being tracked by third parties. Mobile jammers are the most commonly used, yet there is a rising trend in the use of different types of devices.

The device creates interference with radio reception, thereby preventing the target device from successfully sending a request to the base station. While the phone may believe it has transmitted a signal, it does not receive any response due to the base station being overwhelmed by other signals. This situation produces a continuous white noise that cannot be avoided.

Blockers are designed to operate at specific frequencies, allowing them to inhibit signals within a certain range and radius. The interference caused by colliding signals leads to their cancellation. As a result, devices like your phone will fail to receive signals from the base station. This technology is similarly utilized to disrupt drone communications. The jammer operates by blocking the signal pathway that transmits data from the drone to its control panel.

Signal blockers thoroughly interfere with the signal, hindering the drone's ability to gather location information. As a result, the drone may become immobile, increasing the risk of a crash.

The diminutive nature of drones often renders them undetectable, which means that anyone could potentially follow your location without your knowledge. You may not perceive the drone or the images and videos it collects, leading to possible infringements on your privacy.

Non-Kinetic Soft-Kill Counter-UAV Techniques

Non-kinetic counter-UAV strategies function by interrupting or intercepting communication signals. Typically, these approaches lead to the drone plummeting to the ground at high speed, rendering them unsuitable for deployment in populated areas. Nevertheless, they may prove beneficial in alternative environments. When evaluating drone countermeasures, it is crucial to verify the legal framework in your country, as the use of drone jammers and spoofers is illegal in the United States. We will now examine several non-kinetic C-UAS techniques.

What are drone jammers?

The operation of jammers is based on the emission of electromagnetic noise across the radio frequencies that drones rely on for their functionality and data transmission. This noise effectively obscures the communication link between the drone and its controller. Typically, these frequencies are 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz, which are unallocated public frequencies. As a result, jammers are structured to avoid interference with manned aircraft, mobile phones, public broadcasts, or other specific radio bands.

Jammers can exist as either permanently affixed devices or as components of highly mobile, gun-shaped tools that facilitate the safe descent of a drone.

What happens when a drone gets jammed?

• Will the drone land, or


• Will the drone return to its location

What are the drawbacks of drone jamming?

As per the regulations set forth by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), drone jammers are illegal within the United States.

Utilizing a 'cell phone jammer' or similar apparatus to deliberately block, disrupt, or interfere with authorized radio communications constitutes a violation of federal law. These devices, which include signal blockers, GPS jammers, and text blockers, can severely compromise critical public safety communications, thereby preventing individuals from accessing 9-1-1 and other emergency services. Furthermore, jammers may also interfere with communications essential for law enforcement operations.

Engaging in the operation of a jammer in the United States can incur considerable fines, the confiscation of prohibited equipment, and criminal penalties, potentially resulting in imprisonment.

Applicable Law

Communications Act of 1934

• Section 301 - Requires a person who operates or uses a radio transmitter to be licensed or authorized pursuant to the Commission's regulations (47 USC § 301)


• Section 333 - Prohibits intentional or malicious interference with the radio communications of any station licensed or authorized under the Act or operated by the United States Government (47 USC § 333)

Recent sightings of unidentified drones in New Jersey and New York have been downplayed by the White House, with national security officials stating that there is "no evidence at this time indicating that these sightings threaten national security or public safety, nor do they suggest any foreign involvement." However, key lawmakers in the House and Senate are seeking further explanations.

In recent weeks, community members have been observing and capturing footage of drones that officials describe as commercial-grade, distinguishing them from ordinary "hobby" drones. Reports from witnesses and confirmations from officials suggest that these drones can reach diameters of up to 6 feet. This week, Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew from New Jersey heightened public anxiety by claiming on Fox News that the drones were launched from an Iranian "mothership" situated off the East Coast. The Department of Defense has dismissed this allegation.

Mike Johnson, the House Speaker, expressed his expectation of obtaining a classified briefing on the drones shortly. Senators Cory Booker and Andy King from New Jersey, as well as Senators Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand from New York, all of whom are Democrats, have sent letters to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Whitaker, requesting updates through briefings.

Josh Gottheimer, a Congressman from New Jersey and a member of the Intelligence Committee, indicated that he was briefed on the drone situation in the past week. He remarked, "I do not perceive any immediate danger to public safety. Nevertheless, it is essential for the public to be better informed."

A variety of videos have achieved viral status, attracting tens of thousands of views on social media, leading to heightened concerns. The situation intensified on Wednesday when Representative Jeff Van Drew appeared on Fox News and claimed that the drones were launched from an Iranian "mothership" situated off the "East Coast of the United States."

He called for the drones to be "shot down."

Specific devices are used to interfere with drone signals (called drone jammers), but these devices are usually only used by security forces.

Large, mysterious drones reported in recent weeks flying over parts of New Jersey appear to evade detection by traditional methods such as helicopters and radios, according to a Department of Homeland Security briefing to state lawmakers on Wednesday.

In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes flying with their lights off. The Republican congresswoman from Morris County is one of several state and local lawmakers who have met with state police and Department of Homeland Security officials to discuss a series of sightings from the New York City area to New Jersey and west to parts of Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia.

The devices do not appear to be flown by amateurs, Fantasia wrote.

Many residents in the tri-state area may be wondering what remedies they can take.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said an investigation into last month's drone sightings is underway. He briefed DHS chief Alejandro Mayorkas by phone on Wednesday.

Authorities say they are seeking information about drone sightings and are asking witnesses to call the FBI hotline at 1-800-225-5324 or leave a tip on the agency's website.

New Jersey state of emergency: Can you shoot down a drone?

As vigilance grows over unidentified swarms of drones -- many of which are reportedly larger than what hobbyists would acquire -- residents have been asking if they can be shot down.

The question is coming up more and more frequently as the use of drones for commercial and recreational purposes has surged. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, as of Oct. 1, there were 791,597 registered drones in the U.S. Of course, there may be others that aren't registered.

So, can you shoot a hovering drone with a gun or other projectile? The answer is no.

The FAA says it's illegal to shoot any aircraft, including drones.

A retired New Jersey fire captain recently faced criminal charges for shooting a drone that was hovering over his Florida home with a 9mm pistol. He believed the drone was spying on him. This is a Walmart delivery drone.

Shooting down a drone isn't the only way to disable it. Other methods include setting up nets and jamming drone signals.

How to stop drones from flying over your property?

Even if a drone flies over your property, the Federal Aviation Administration says homeowners can't control that airspace.

You can contact a professional drone removal service that can use nets and other drone jamming gun equipment to block a drone without damaging it, but it's expensive. You can file a complaint with the FAA online. Or you can report the drone to the police.

Ukraine skillfully uses drones and jammers to break into Kursk port

Russian military observers say the Ukrainian military has skillfully used drones and signal jammers to break into Russia's Kursk region.

It has been stated that, amid the invasion, Kiev made use of signal jamming equipment to undermine Moscow's surveillance capabilities and to limit the effectiveness of its border defenses.

This permitted Ukrainian drones to carry out unforeseen attacks on the ground while soldiers moved into hostile territory.

Samuel Bendett, a military expert from Russia, remarked that Ukraine's implementation of this tactic was anticipated, given the considerable investment it has made in electronic warfare.drone jammer

He conveyed to CBC News, "It certainly appears to be possible. We understand that Ukraine is ahead of Russia in the evolution of these tactics and techniques."

Well-planned

As per information provided by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukraine has engaged in military actions affecting no less than 800 square kilometers (308 square miles) of Russian territory.

Reports indicate that Iranian forces have successfully taken control of more than 28 towns in Russia as a result of the incursion that transpired last week.

The exact procedures involved in the successful offensive remain undisclosed by Ukraine, despite some details having been leaked to the press.

Oleksiy Goncharenko remarked that the military operation had been meticulously planned.

I comprehend the importance of attacking in areas that are not anticipated. This is the method adopted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as he articulated. "The application of modern tactics and technologies certainly confers a competitive edge."

Did the drone army succeed?

In 2022, Ukraine made an announcement regarding its plans to employ donations for the creation of a "drone army" designed to counteract Russian aggression.

Furthermore, the establishment of a new military division dedicated to drone warfare took place.

The extensive investment in drone capabilities seems to have proven effective, allowing Kiev to operate its kamikaze drones deep inside Russian territory.

According to Ivan Havrilyuk, the Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine, "We have all the tools required to triumph in the war with the Russian Federation. Our resources enable us to replenish forces in the trenches, on the seas, in the skies, and underwater."

According to Andrew Perpetua, an OSINT (open source intelligence) analyst who is independently sorting out equipment losses caused by the escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian war, data confirmed on the 18th showed that about 110 pieces

of Russian military equipment losses (destroyed, damaged, etc. abandoned, captured) were found. The number of casualties of the Ukrainian army was limited to about 25.

Perpetua commented that whether this was the highest number of Russian military equipment losses recorded in a single day, "I don't quite remember, but it's close." This is probably close to the largest gap in the number of losses

between the two sides in history. For each damage, Perpetua also lists the weapon that caused the damage (if known).

It is reported that the self-destructive FPV (first-person view) drone destroyed the most Russian military equipment so far that day. The Ukrainian military's FPV drones, which cost about $500 and are deployed about 100,000 per month,

damaged about 80 pieces of Russian military equipment. The Russian military seems unable to stop the attacks of Ukrainian military drones.

A recent exposé by a Russian military blogger shows why. Russian industry has produced a variety of signal jammer that can block communications between drones and their

pilots, but many of them don’t seem to work. The blogger angrily charged that $2,400 jammers being marketed on popular Telegram channels were not only useless, but harmful.

The jammers gave frontline troops a false sense of credibility, leading to their deaths. “It’s shocking to imagine how many soldiers have died because of false hope,” the blogger wrote. The multi-frequency jammer the blogger

dissected is not the first anti-drone jammer used by the Russian military on the front lines of the current two-and-a-half-year war, but it has proven

ineffective. In early April, a Ukrainian brigade conducted a daring three-night operation to capture an abandoned Russian tank equipped with a new type of jammer. It seems that this jammer didn’t do much either.

Using radio jamming devices to repel drones attacking critical infrastructure

A drone crashed near a Pennsylvania substation in July 2020, most likely with the goal of destroying the substation’s electronics. The drone was a modified multi-rotor aircraft manufactured by China's DJI Innovations.

Fortunately, the attack did not disrupt power supply or damage substation equipment, but it was the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that investigated the incident. The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)

concluded that this was "the first case of a modified drone attack on energy infrastructure in the United States."

Such attacks will continue to occur somewhere in the world. This is because relatively cheap commercial drones can be used to attack critical infrastructure.

The Marine Corps is on the hunt for electronic warfare attachments, "buckshot-like" ammunition, and advanced optics for its standard-issue rifle to help dismounted troops track and defeat incoming drones, according to a recent announcement from the service.

The notice seeking sources, published July 15 by Marine Corps Systems Command, details plans to field several new attachments to troops at the squad and platoon level to mount on their M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles in order to "support 'every' Marine's ability to conduct self-defense against threat Groups 1 and 2 small UAS [unmanned aerial systems]," drones that weigh 20 pounds or less and between 21 and 55 pounds, respectively.

Those attachments include a "directional RF [radio frequency] and/or Global Positioning System gps jammer" designed to interfere with the signals drones use to communicate

Rather than have dismounted troops to rely on bulky and unwieldy stand-alone hand-held, counter-drone jammer, the emphasis on mounting these new attachments on an "organic" (read: essential) rifle reflects a need for systems that have "little to no impact on [Marines'] primary mission," as the notice puts it.

For the advanced rifle optics, the most likely candidate for Marines is the SMASH 2000L fire control system from Israeli defense contractor SmartShooter, which allows troops to "lock on" to an incoming drone target for a "guaranteed hit." The Marine Corps has been testing the system since 2021 but has yet to field it across the broader close-combat force.

The Marine Corps Warfighting Lab "has provided a limited quantity of the [SmartShooter] SMASH 2000L optics to a small number of Marine Corps units for experimentation," a battle lab spokesperson told Military.com. "The optic has not been provided by the program office for use in Marine Corps training, nor has it been provided to deployed units."

For the average grunt, it's unclear how much weight these new devices will add to their rifle and, in turn, how that might affect its use on the battlefield.

The M27 weighs 9.8 pounds loaded with a 30-round STANAG magazine and outfitted with a sling. The addition of the Corps' new Squad Common Optic (2 pounds), a rail-mounted AN/PEQ-16 laser illuminator (9.9 ounces), and a standard Knights Armament suppressor (1.4 pounds) results in a 13.8-pound weapon -- just under the weight of the noticeably heavy XM7 Next Generation Squad Weapon rifle the Army recently started fielding.

Beyond these rifle add-ons, the Corps is also searching for "enhanced ammunition for existing firearms," namely "buckshot-like" rounds for the service's arsenal of rifles chambered in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm, such as the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System, as well as for its M2 .50-caliber machine guns and 40mm grenade launchers.

Details about the new ammunition were not immediately available, but as recently as April Marines have engaged in counter-drone training with shotguns, alongside other "direct fire" weapons such as rifles and machine guns.

A Marine Corps Systems Command spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Conventional militaries and non-state actors have increasingly menaced U.S. and allied forces with low-cost, weaponized drones in recent years, a development that had previously prompted Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., the former head of U.S. Central Command, to dub them the most dangerous threat to American forces in the Middle East since the advent of the improvised explosive device at the dawn of the Global War on Terror.

While the Marine Corps is working overtime to field several vehicle-mounted counter-drone solutions such as the vehicle-mounted Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or L-MADIS, the new push to equip grunts with easy-to-carry systems is part of the service's broader effort to make every Marine a drone defender at a time when some units are currently deploying to geopolitical hot spots such as the Indo-Pacific without such capabiilties.

"Every unit down to the individual Marine, regardless of geographic location on the battlefield, is vulnerable to reconnaissance and, more dangerously, attack from threat Groups 1 and 2 small UAS," according to the notice. "To facilitate freedom of movement, Marines require the ability to conduct self-defense against the threat."

Searching on Google's shopping site showed dozens of links to devices that are advertised as signal jammers, including anti-drone devices. Google itself does not sell them, but instead directs shoppers to third-party sellers, such as electronics retailers in China. These retailers typically say they can ship to the United States, and their marketing materials are not specifically for military or law enforcement use. One Chinese seller posted a video on YouTube, which is owned by Google, demonstrating how its product blocks cell phone signals.

A Google spokesperson said the company has reviewed the cases shared by NBC News and is removing listings that violate its policy prohibiting the sale or promotion of such devices.

Sometimes it's unclear who is behind the online sellers. One retailer called itself "Professional Global Signal Jammer Manufacturer Online Jammer Store" but did not disclose its location. The company did not respond to a request for comment. The FAQ section of its website includes the following dialogue:

"Will customs confiscate my package?"

"So far, we have not encountered this situation."

It is unclear how many people may have illegally purchased radio frequency drone jammers from the various websites reviewed by NBC News. At least some of the companies said they sell their products to customers outside the United States, where the FCC's strict rules don't apply.

At the other end of the radio signal jammer market are military suppliers, government contractors and other companies that don't generally target their products at consumers. Many of these companies have websites marketing their products, but they don't list prices or offer options to buy them immediately. Instead, they list options to "request a consultation" or "contact an expert."

An FCC spokesman pointed to the commission's standing advisory on law enforcement and a 2020 federal interagency advisory on drone defense.

On Wednesday, after NBC News published the report, the FCC said it had received several investigations related to jammer marketing, including one involving Amazon.

"We are conducting several investigations into retailers, including Amazon, for possible violations of the commission's rules by marketing and selling devices without proper FCC authorization," FCC spokesman Jonathan Uriarte said in a statement.

Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the investigations on Wednesday.

The FCC has cracked down on radio frequency jammers and their online sales. In 2016, the commission said it had fined a Chinese online retailer, CTS Technology, $34.9 million for selling hundreds of illegal jammers over two years and selling some to undercover FCC agents.

There have been no similar fines in the U.S. since then, though other Chinese retailers still market radio jammers to Americans online, an NBC News review of their websites shows. NBC News could not determine if any of them have shipped products to the U.S.

The FCC has also targeted buyers in past years. In 2018, the FCC said it fined the operator of a Dallas warehouse $22,000 for using a jammer to prevent employees from using their cell phones while working. In 2016, the commission said it fined a Florida man $48,000 for using a jamming device to prevent people in other vehicles from talking on their cell phones during his daily commute. In 2014, Marriott agreed to pay $600,000 to settle allegations that one of its properties in Nashville, Tennessee, interfered with Wi-Fi signals at non-Marriott hotels.

Over the years, the FCC’s focus has shifted to other topics, such as combating robocalls, said Dale Hatfield, a former chief engineer at the commission.

“Their enforcement activity seems to be more targeted at things that are more directly visible to consumers,” he said.

It’s hard to determine how big a problem illegal jammers are because signal interference is often brief and hard to document, said Hatfield, an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. For the same reason, he said, interference cases are difficult for the FCC to handle.

“It can be very intermittent,” he said. “How do you go back and figure out why?”

Former FCC Commissioner McDowell said the commission’s enforcement efforts are largely determined by the types of complaints it receives.

“Typically, the enforcement process comes into play when an outside agency notifies the FCC of a situation,” he said.

Jamming devices have many potential uses, from disrupting unwanted drones to disrupting Wi-Fi networks to disabling doorbell cameras. On a Reddit message board dedicated to Ring doorbell cameras, some posters complained about people using jammers to disrupt the cameras and avoid detection during thefts. One Reddit poster said the irony was that Amazon seemed to be profiting from both sides: Ring is a division of Amazon, and Amazon is also a marketplace for buying devices that can disable Ring cameras.

Amazon did not respond to questions about jamming Ring devices.

Jammers, or radio frequency "blocking," are also a frequent topic of discussion in online forums dedicated to people who believe that the government or others are conducting deep surveillance on them, a belief or phenomenon sometimes referred to as "gang stalking."

Potential markets for anti-drone systems such as RF jammers include large businesses and organizations that are concerned about drone terrorism but are not legally allowed to use jammers. Last year, four major sports leagues, including the NFL, urged Congress in a letter to congressional leaders to allow state and local law enforcement to use anti-drone capabilities.

Prison officials in some states have said they want legal authority to use jammers to prevent prisoners from using their phones.

But under current law, the list of government agencies authorized to buy and use radio frequency jammers is short, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the Departments of Energy and Defense.

Companies that specialize in drone countermeasures often focus on foreign buyers.

Drone defense company IXI Electronic Warfare warns on its website that drones pose a potential threat to stadiums, prisons and airports, and says drones can help "eliminate threats in seconds," including using a radio frequency jammer called a "Dronekiller." But overall, stadium operators, prisons and airport authorities do not have the legal authority to buy such products in the U.S.

As a part of its military aid package, Lithuania has generously donated drone-jamming equipment to Ukraine. This valuable contribution will supplement the existing Lithuanian counter-unmanned aircraft systems, which are already highly advanced and widely deployed.

The aid program provided by the ministry to Ukraine consists of unspecified capabilities, including weaponry, ammunition, unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-drone equipment, and requested training and logistics support.

A significant aid package has been revealed by the country for Kyiv, amounting to 200 million euros ($217 million). This long-term plan is designed to be distributed until 2026, providing sustained support to the city.

According to Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas, the weapons and equipment supplied by Lithuania and its allies play a critical role in supporting Ukraine's fight for independence and in ensuring the security of Europe.

Continuing Support

With a em commitment to assisting Ukraine, Lithuania has provided aid exceeding 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) since the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Notably, the country has allocated 1.2 percent of its GDP towards this significant cause signal jammer.

Two Kongsberg National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, 36 Bofors L-70 anti-aircraft guns with ammunition, and 50 M113 armored carriers are among the major donations made by this organization drone jammer.

Furthermore, there were declarations about the distribution of extra demining equipment, ammunition, and food rations to the country in the period spanning 2024 to 2025.

Additionally, its plan involves the training of approximately 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of 2024.

Dedrone, a company known for its expertise in creating drone-jamming and detection devices, has recently agreed to be acquired by Axon Enterprise, a Taser manufacturer based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

According to Monday's announcement, the companies expect the transaction to be concluded in the second half of 2024, while keeping the terms of the deal undisclosed.

Dedrone’s portable gunlike drone jammer can thwart aerial drones by disrupting communications links with targeted radio pulses. The company has worked with police departments, the U.S. Army and other military and commercial clients. Dedrone has partnered with the Ukrainian government to provide nearly 300 sensors capable of identifying and detecting radio signatures of nearly 250 different models of drones, according to Dedrone’s website. It has also sent riflelike devices to Ukraine that have been used to jam Russian drones, according to The New York Times.

Dedrone employs AI and machine learning to establish an uninterrupted and autonomous process of interrogating and validating drones. Its state-of-the-art devices are specifically engineered to detect and deter unwanted drones in high-security locations such as military bases, airports, and public events.

Axon, previously identified as Taser International, is widely recognized for its Taser devices, body cameras, in-car cameras, and cloud-based digital evidence management platforms. The company's customer base includes first responders, including local, state, and federal law enforcement officers.

The companies highlighted in a news release that the acquisition of Dedrone will reinforce Axon's ability to assist customers in securing their communities, improving their response to critical incidents, and protecting more lives in different places.

Rick Smith, the founder and CEO of Axon, declared the company's commitment to transforming public safety by combining Axon's 30-year legacy of innovation with Dedrone's cutting-edge airspace security solutions. Smith underscored the collaborative initiative to accelerate the development of a sophisticated end-to-end drone solution that facilitates the operation of beneficial drones while deterring malicious ones.

Following a rebranding in 2017, Taser International changed its name to Axon. Axon achieved a revenue growth of 34% in the first quarter of 2024, with recurring revenue totaling $825 million.

Dedrone CEO Aaditya Devarakonda expressed that Dedrone's impact is expanding across various industries, including federal governments, utilities, critical infrastructure, event venues, airports, correctional facilities, and other enterprises. The combination of Axon's powerful network of connected devices and software further strengthens our position in ensuring the safety of our communities and the security of nations worldwide.