Tracking, Jamming, and Neutralizing Drones
The Bukovel electronic warfare system is a Ukrainian-made innovation developed by Proximus LLC, a company that specializes in wireless technologies, data transmission systems, high-performance amplifiers, and mobile communication solutions. The Bukovel EW system operates by detecting enemy UAV signals and completely jamming their control and data channels—effectively neutralizing them on the battlefield.
One of the system’s first major successes was the downing of the russian ZALA 421-16E2 UAV, a drone previously promoted as “invisible and untouchable.” The core objective of the Bukovel anti-drone electronic warfare system is to identify and disable enemy drones. This is achieved through signal detection and direction finding (DF). DF, in this case, refers to the azimuth angle between the monitoring station and the target, which is calculated using radio signal direction—an approach employed by the Bukovel EW system.
In addition to direction finding, the system also performs selective jamming of the uplink communication signals between UAVs and their ground control stations. It can jam up to 16 of the strongest signals across different cellular networks simultaneously, which significantly enhances the system’s efficiency.
How the Bukovel EW System Works: Technical Specifications and Manufacturer Vision
Proximus LLC was established in 2001 with a mission to prioritize quality and continuous innovation. The latest iteration of the Bukovel anti-drone system features a wider frequency range, allowing it to jam multiple targets simultaneously.
The Bukovel-AD anti-drone system detects small UAVs such as the russian Orlan-10 at distances up to 70 km and jams their control signals at a range of up to 20 km. It can also counter other EW systems and suppress radar and communication equipment.
What makes the company unique is its integrated production cycle—from product development to final assembly and delivery.
Key Capabilities of the Bukovel EW System
- Tactical UHF (30–88 MHz): 2x10W, supports in-band interference, including FH;
- FM Band (88–109 MHz): 5/10 channels, 50W, in-band interference not supported;
- VHF (110–280 MHz): 4/5 channels, 20W, in-band jamming supported;
- UHF (280–600 MHz / 824–880 MHz): 2×2 channels, 10W, in-band jamming supported;
- CDMA-450/800: 1 channel, 20W, in-band jamming supported;
- CDMA-1900: 1 channel, 25W, in-band jamming supported;
- GSM-900/GSM-1800: 2×16/4 channels, 20W, in-band jamming supported;
- UMTS-2100: 8/4 channels, 20W, in-band jamming not supported;
- UMTS-850/900: 4/4 channels, 20W, in-band jamming not supported;
- Satellite (Thuraya, Iridium, Inmarsat 1500–1700 MHz): 2 channels, in-band jamming supported;
- VSAT Ku-band (10.75–12.2 GHz): 2 channels, in-band jamming not supported;
- VSAT C-band (3.7–4.2 GHz): 2 channels, in-band jamming supported;
- WiFi (2.4/5.2/5.7 GHz): 3 channels, in-band jamming supported;
- WiMax/LTE (800/2300/2500–2700 MHz): 3 channels, in-band jamming supported;
- Microwave (7 and 18 GHz): 2 channels, in-band jamming not supported.
Bukovel EW System Price and Battlefield Application
The Bukovel EW system price ranges from 45,000 to 130,000 UAH, with each newer model adding roughly 30,000 UAH to the cost. However, purchasing the system alone isn’t enough—regular technical maintenance, software support, and operator training are all necessary to keep the system operational.
A minimum of 40 units is required for partial front line coverage (assuming each station covers a single direction), while 60 units would allow for overlapping coverage zones. For full line coverage with portable stations (each covering a 2 km radius), around 600 units are needed.
This level of deployment requires immense resources. Yet even more critical than hardware is the human element. Success lies with those at the front—or those who support the front.
