Picogrid and Guardian RF have secured a contract to enhance installation security at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, which is used for satellite launches and missile testing, amid concerns over unauthorized drone activity near sensitive defense facilities.
Under the project, Guardian RF’s Scout passive radio-frequency sensors will be integrated with Picogrid’s Expeditionary Command and Control Nodes (ECN), linking drone-signal detection with a unified command-and-control framework to improve real-time airspace awareness.
The passive sensors monitor the electromagnetic spectrum to identify drone communications and provide early warning of both standard and unconventional small drones, while reducing exposure to jamming and electronic interference.
Data collected by the sensors is processed through Picogrid’s ECN infrastructure, which supplies modular power, secure networking, and edge computing.
The setup allows information from multiple points across the base to be fused into a single operational picture.
It can also automatically cue existing camera systems to visually confirm potential threats, strengthening perimeter security and helping protect launch infrastructure and personnel.
Focus on Counter-Drone Technologies
The US military is increasingly investing in counter-drone systems to strengthen security across diverse operational environments.
Earlier this month, the US Army introduced DroneArmor, a next-generation counter-unmanned aerial system developed by Parsons Corporation that combines AI and machine learning to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized drones.
In January, the US deployed the Athena Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Kit over Washington, DC, following seven years of development.
The system integrates identification data to distinguish drones from other airborne objects, helping reduce false alarms in crowded civilian environments.
Last year, the army also tested Bullfrog, an autonomous, machine-gun-based counter-drone system integrated onto Abrams tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.
Using AI, computer vision, and proprietary control software, Bullfrog adapts both legacy and modern weapon systems for precise drone engagement.
