Ukrainian defense company BlueBird unveiled the latest iteration of its Chuyka 3.0 portable drone detector, at the Defense Tech Valley 2025 exhibition in Lviv. This system integrates the company's best engineering and software solutions, battlefield experience, and feedback from Ukrainian troops.
BlueBird representative Andriy Chepak told Defense Express that Chuyka 3.0 is designed to alert infantry personnel to the presence and approach of FPV drones.
Read more: Ukrainian Armor Launches Serial Production of UB60D FPV Drone, Discloses Output Figures
The device intercepts and detects the analog video signal transmitted from an FPV drone to its operator. Once powered on, Chuyka scans key frequency bands within 4–8 seconds, covering up to 95% of the most common FPV drone frequencies (1080–1800, 3000–4100, and 4900–6100 MHz).
Within a 4 km range, all drones operating in these bands are detected. The front-panel display shows incoming drone signals in a histogram format, with the strongest signal indicating the closest drone in that band. The system also provides an audible warning. Intercepted analog video can be viewed on Chuyka's screen, allowing the user to respond appropriately—seek cover or withdraw. Chepak noted: "At the exhibition, military personnel approached us and said that Chuyka has saved their lives."
Chuyka 3.0 has been in service with the Ukrainian Defense Forces since March and holds NATO codification. The detector weighs 450 g and provides 8 hours of continuous operation on a single battery. Firmware updates can be performed online as needed.
Production currently reaches 3,000 units per month, though demand remains high, with a waiting period of up to six weeks. Brigades procure Chuyka units directly from BlueBird or through the Brave 1 platform. The cost of a single detector is UAH 24,700.
BlueBird is now developing versions of the Chuyka for vehicles and dugouts, featuring a separate screen and remote antenna block to ensure unobstructed signal reception. Work is also underway on detectors capable of identifying FPV drones in additional frequency bands that adversaries could potentially exploit on the battlefield.
Read more: Ukraine Tests New Kamikaze Drones Capable of Strikes Beyond 40 km and Resistant to EW
