SAHA Expo 2024: Aselsan Unveil New EW Pods for UAVs Transform Air Defense Capabilities

At the recent SAHA Expo held in Istanbul in October 2024, Turkey's defense technology leader, Aselsan, took center stage by unveiling its latest electronic warfare (EW) solutions designed specifically for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These innovations mark a significant leap forward, allowing UAVs not just to gather intelligence but to actively engage in electronic warfare. The three new pods—Antidot 2-U LB, Antidot 2-U MB, and Antidot 2-U HB—are compact yet potent tools capable of jamming enemy signals and protecting friendly assets. In addition to these lighter options, Aselsan introduced the larger and more powerful Antidot 2-U and Antidot 2-U/S, enhancing capabilities for both electronic attack and support missions.

Lightweight Antidot Pods: Precision Jamming in a Compact Form

The Antidot 2-U LB (Low Band), 2-U MB (Middle Band), and 2-U HB (High Band) are specifically tailored to target different frequency bands. Each of these lightweight pods is optimized to provide powerful jamming capabilities while remaining compact and easily mountable on smaller UAVs. Weighing less than 10 kilograms, these pods deliver targeted electronic countermeasures for specific frequencies, defending both the UAV and its surrounding allies against air defense threats.

The design of these pods is notably compact. Their structure includes a front-facing directional antenna encapsulated in a spherical radome, providing focused jamming, as well as an omnidirectional antenna underneath with a cylindrical radome to ensure comprehensive 360-degree coverage. This dual-mode configuration allows the pods to operate in either a focused or all-encompassing jamming mode, adapting to the needs of a dynamic combat environment. The pods consume around 380 watts of power, demonstrating Aselsan’s commitment to high-efficiency, low-weight solutions tailored to UAVs with limited energy and payload capacity.

Antidot 2-U: A Robust Multiband Jammer with Extended Range

For missions demanding a broader frequency response and extended range, Aselsan introduced the Antidot 2-U, a larger and more capable multiband jammer. This pod, weighing approximately 35 kilograms, covers a wider frequency bandwidth than the combined range of the three smaller Antidot variants. Though Aselsan has not disclosed the exact output power, the 1,100-watt power consumption and cooling grids visible along the body indicate that the Antidot 2-U is a high-power system designed to engage enemy signals from considerable distances.

The Antidot 2-U is equipped with dual radomes—one at the front and another at the rear—housing antennas that provide seamless 360-degree coverage. Unlike the smaller pods, this model integrates electronic support measures (ESM), enabling it to detect and locate radar emissions with moderate accuracy. While it’s primarily designed for jamming, the Antidot 2-U’s ESM capabilities allow it to identify and localize radar threats, which is crucial for missions where SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) operations are vital.

Antidot 2-U/S: Passive Intelligence Gathering and Threat Detection

Completing Aselsan’s lineup is the Antidot 2-U/S, an advanced electronic support pod focusing on electronic intelligence (ELINT) and ESM missions. Unlike the active jamming pods, the Antidot 2-U/S operates passively, minimizing its own emissions to remain undetected while gathering critical data on enemy radar signals. This pod’s architecture includes antennas positioned strategically to capture signals from multiple directions—two at each end, angled at 45 degrees, and four on each side in the rear.

With a mass around 30 kilograms, the Antidot 2-U/S is built for stealthy, precise intelligence gathering. It can detect, record, and locate signals from hostile radars with high accuracy, which aids UAV operators in identifying and pinpointing the locations of enemy defense systems. This capability provides critical situational awareness in complex environments where accurate and timely data can be the difference between mission success and failure. Compared to the broader-spectrum Antidot 2-U, the 2-U/S is highly specialized for intelligence missions, ideal for UAVs tasked with recon and support roles.

Transforming UAVs into Electronic Warfare Platforms

By equipping UAVs with these versatile EW pods, Aselsan is enhancing the capabilities of unmanned systems beyond traditional surveillance and reconnaissance. These pods allow UAVs to operate as both protective escorts and frontline electronic attackers, significantly improving the survivability of both the UAV and allied assets in contested airspace. The Antidot series thus enables non-specialized UAVs to conduct SEAD operations effectively, suppressing enemy air defenses by disrupting hostile radar and communication networks, ensuring safer operations for manned and unmanned formations alike.

Aselsan’s latest offerings underscore the strategic shift in electronic warfare technology toward more compact, multi-functional tools adaptable for unmanned platforms. With the introduction of the Antidot series, Turkey’s defense industry is demonstrating a firm commitment to providing innovative solutions that meet the growing demand for flexible, scalable, and highly effective EW systems suitable for modern air defense.