russia has begun developing an acoustic detection system for drones and is installing microphones and information transmission systems on mobile communication towers. This system is a copy of the Ukrainian solution that was deployed to counter russian long-range attacks. Notably, the software-hardware solution known as Zvook was publicly demonstrated at the Brave1 platform presentation.
The deployment of such a system by the russians was reported by communication, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance specialist Serhii Beskrestnov "Flash", who also provided a photo of the russian system.
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According to the photo and description, the system consists of four microphones and a processing and transmission unit, which can send data via mobile networks or through a presumably slower radio channel. Additionally, a data transmission interface connector, RS485, can be seen, which might be required for programming and configuring the unit.
It should be noted that the idea behind acoustic sensors for aircraft is to create a wide network that will detect the engine sounds of aerial vehicles and use triangulation to determine the location of the threat. Although this system has significantly less accuracy, it allows for the deployment of a dense detection field for low-altitude targets, which cannot be achieved with radars. Radars typically detect objects at an altitude of 100 meters at a range of 40-50 km, depending on the terrain.
russia is deploying this system in response to the regular and large-scale drone attacks, which could also include Ukrainian Palianytsia cruise missiles, as well as Western ones like Storm Shadow and AGM-158 JASSM.
It is also worth adding that in March 2024, russia announced the creation of analogs of Ukrainian mobile fire groups, which are supposed to "hunt" long-range drones. However, it seems this plan has yet to be implemented.
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