Israeli counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) specialist Sentrycs unveiled Horizon on 30 January 2025: an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solution that the company says “enables real-time detection of all types of do-it-yourself (DIY) drones, including those that were previously undetectable”.
Sentrycs’ Horizon analyses the radio frequency environment, identifying signal bursts that match the characteristics of datalinks emitted by UAVs, remote controls or other communication devices. It supports all transmission types, including analogue, digital and video. Leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms, the Horizon system extracts meaningful insights from unknown communication patterns, transforming them “into the first-ever protocol manipulation-based C-UAS solution that is non-library based” according to Sentrycs.
The system is designed in particular to address the proliferation of DIY drones. “Affordable and easy to assemble, these drones challenge traditional detection systems by employing techniques such as frequency hopping and operating across a wide range of frequencies, making them difficult to identify and track with conventional counter-drone methods,” Sentrycs noted.
By detecting transmissions that might otherwise go unnoticed, the Horizon system provides an early warning mechanism and actionable intelligence. This signals intelligence often serves as the first indication of a nearby threat, enabling further counter-UAV actions such as electro-optic confirmation, jamming or other mitigation techniques such as kinetic countermeasures.
While its primary capability is detection, Horizon lays the foundation for a system that will ultimately address the entire ‘detection, tracking, identification, mitigation’ (DTIM) cycle, even for devices not included in the system’s library.
“Sentrycs’ technology will support all communication protocols and autonomously add new ones,” the company explained. “As it evolves it will implement preventive measures, empowering users to make informed decisions and respond proactively to emerging threats.”
Ami Shalev, vice president of research at Sentrycs, emphasised the significance of this innovation in a company press release. “Sentrycs is advancing counter-drone technology to exceed current capabilities,” he said. “These AI-driven capabilities ensure Sentrycs solutions evolve alongside the DIY drone landscape, adapting to threats with precision and efficiency. Building on the capabilities of Horizon, the engine is being developed into a fully self-learning DTIM platform. This next-generation solution will address all DIY drones, regardless of type or transmission technology, ensuring comprehensive protection and operational efficiency.”
