At AUSA 2025 in Washington D.C., DZYNE Technologies unveiled its latest evolution in mobile counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capabilities: the Dronebuster Vehicle Kit. Building upon the proven handheld Dronebuster Block 3 system already fielded by U.S. forces, this new kit enables rapid vehicle integration of RF-based drone defeat capabilities for convoy protection and static site defense. The solution reflects a growing demand for scalable and mobile C-UAS systems amid proliferating commercial and military drone threats.
From Handheld to Mounted: Evolution of the Dronebuster System
The original Dronebuster Block 3 is a lightweight (approximately 2.5 kg), man-portable electronic warfare device designed to jam commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) drones operating on common radio frequencies such as 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz. It has been widely adopted by U.S. military units for point defense against small UAVs (sUAVs), particularly in asymmetric environments.
The new vehicle kit builds on this foundation by enabling integration of the same core RF jamming technology into tactical vehicles via a modular mounting system and remote-control interface. According to DZYNE representatives at AUSA 2025, the kit includes:
- A ruggedized mount compatible with standard NATO vehicle rails or roll cages
- Remote-control unit allowing operation from within the vehicle cabin
- Power interface adaptable to military vehicle power systems (12V/24V)
- Optional directional antenna array for increased range and precision
This configuration allows operators to engage drone threats while on the move or from hardened positions without exposing personnel outside the vehicle—a critical enhancement in contested environments.
Modular Integration for Tactical Flexibility
The Dronebuster Vehicle Kit is designed with platform agnosticism in mind. It can be mounted on a wide range of tactical vehicles including MRAPs, JLTVs, Polaris DAGORs, or even civilian-style pickup trucks used by security forces or special operations units.
DZYNE emphasized that no permanent vehicle modification is required—installation can be completed in under an hour using existing mounting hardware and power access points. This makes it ideal for expeditionary forces or units rotating through high-threat areas where drone activity is prevalent.
The remote-control unit provides full functionality of the standard handheld variant but adds safety and convenience by allowing operators to scan frequencies and initiate jamming from inside an armored cab.
RF-Based Defeat Mechanism with Low Collateral Risk
The core of the system remains its radio frequency disruption capability. The Dronebuster emits targeted RF energy across ISM bands commonly used by commercial drones for command-and-control (C2) links and GPS reception. By disrupting these links—either severing control between pilot and drone or degrading GNSS navigation—the system can neutralize most Group 1/Group 2 UAV threats without kinetic engagement.
This approach offers several operational advantages:
- No explosive hazard or risk of collateral damage in urban environments
- Silent operation suitable for covert missions
- Reusable with minimal sustainment burden compared to kinetic interceptors
- Compliance with FAA Part 107 waivers under controlled conditions
DZYNE claims effective ranges up to 1 km depending on terrain and antenna configuration—comparable to other tactical C-UAS systems but at significantly lower cost per engagement.
Operational Relevance Amid Growing UAS Threat Landscape
The introduction of a mobile variant aligns with broader U.S. Army doctrine emphasizing layered air defense against low-cost aerial threats—including loitering munitions and reconnaissance drones increasingly used by peer adversaries and non-state actors alike.
The proliferation of small drones on modern battlefields—from Ukraine’s FPV kamikaze UAVs to ISIS’s use of quadcopters—has driven demand for affordable point-defense solutions that can be deployed at echelon from squad level up through brigade support areas.
While high-end SHORAD systems like M-SHORAD offer integrated radar/cannon/missile coverage against larger threats, they are expensive and limited in number. Systems like Dronebuster fill a critical gap at lower tiers where distributed units need organic means of protection without relying on centralized air defense assets.
AUSA Debut Signals Readiness for Fielding
The appearance of the vehicle kit at AUSA suggests that DZYNE is preparing for near-term field trials or procurement interest from U.S. services or allied partners under Foreign Military Sales (FMS). The company did not disclose any active contracts but indicated discussions are ongoing with several branches including SOCOM elements seeking lightweight mounted C-UAS options.
DZYNE also hinted at future enhancements such as automated threat detection via AI-enabled sensors or integration into broader C4ISR architectures via ATAK plugins or Link-16 compatibility—though these remain developmental goals rather than current features.
Conclusion: Scalable Defense Against Small Drone Proliferation
The DZYNE Dronebuster Vehicle Kit represents an incremental yet impactful evolution in counter-drone technology—transforming a proven handheld jammer into a mobile force protection asset suitable for convoy escort missions, FOB perimeter defense, or VIP movement security.
As militaries worldwide grapple with swarms of cheap drones disrupting traditional force structures, modular C-UAS kits like this offer an affordable hedge until more integrated solutions mature across echelons.
