DroneShield Unveils RfAI-3 to Detect Previously Unknown Drone Threats

DroneShield has unveiled DroneShield RfAI-3, the latest generation of its radio frequency detection technology designed to identify previously unknown drone threats. Building on earlier versions of the company’s RF detection architecture, RfAI-3 expands detection capabilities beyond known drone signatures while continuing to leverage DroneShield’s growing RF intelligence dataset.

According to the company, the new capability is designed to strengthen counter-UAS operations by detecting drone emissions that have not previously been cataloged.

DroneShield RfAI-3 Expands RF Drone Detection

DroneShield said RfAI-3 introduces wideband detection technology capable of identifying drone emissions outside of its existing RF intelligence database.

The company stated that the system combines:

• Wideband RF detection
• A continuously expanding RF intelligence dataset
• Detection of previously unknown drone emissions
• Identification of known drone emitters

According to DroneShield, the approach allows the system to operate beyond previously encountered drone signatures while continuing to improve its performance against classified emitters.

“The drone threat doesn’t wait for classification. RfAI-3 represents a fundamental shift in how we approach RF-based detection. We are no longer limited to seeing only what we already know. Wideband changes the calculus for our operators and for the adversaries trying to evade them,” said Angus Bean, Chief Executive Officer of DroneShield.

RfAI Development Continues to Evolve

DroneShield outlined the progression of its RF detection technology across three generations.

According to the company:

• RfAI, introduced in 2018, established the company’s RF detection architecture for real-time classification of known drone emitters.
• RfAI-2, released in 2023, expanded the RF intelligence dataset by adding newly identified drone models, communication protocols and threat vectors through DroneShield’s emitter characterization program.
• RfAI-3 builds on that foundation by adding wideband detection capable of identifying drone emissions beyond the existing RF catalog.

DroneShield said the new capability combines detection beyond the known dataset with the continuously expanding intelligence developed through RfAI-2.

RF Intelligence Expands Over Time

According to DroneShield, one of the defining characteristics of the RfAI architecture is its continuously growing RF intelligence dataset.

The company said its engineering teams maintain an ongoing program of:

• Emitter identification
• Signal classification
• Threat integration
• Fleet-wide intelligence distribution

DroneShield stated that this allows deployed systems to improve detection performance against classified emitters over time without requiring hardware upgrades.

The company said an RfAI-3 deployment will continue to gain capability after installation as new RF intelligence is added to the dataset.

Availability

DroneShield said RfAI-3 has been designed for the company’s next-generation hardware platforms.

Initial releases are expected during the second half of calendar year 2026, with additional releases planned through 2027.

According to the company, existing DroneShield products will continue to receive expanded emitter coverage through its software subscription model as the RF intelligence dataset continues to grow.

DroneShield RfAI-3 extends the company’s RF-based detection architecture by combining wideband sensing with an expanding intelligence dataset designed to identify both known and previously unseen drone threats.

Source: Press release from DroneShield