DroneShield launches software update for air-gapped users

DroneShield has released a software update for its counter-drone platform that adds offline and air-gapped capabilities while improving RF detection performance, track update speed and localisation accuracy across its deployed systems.

The Q3 2026 software release covers DroneShield's RF sensing portfolio and its DroneSentry-C2 command-and-control software. The company said the update was designed for customers operating in disconnected, highly secure or remote environments, where access to remote support, commercial mapping and reliable GNSS coverage can be limited.

Testing against the previous Q2 release showed a 58% improvement in track update speed and a 15% improvement in directional accuracy for RF emitter localisation, according to DroneShield. The company said results vary depending on drone type and operating frequency.

Field demands

DroneShield said the update was shaped by changes in the drone threat environment, including faster first-person-view drones, coordinated multi-drone activity, frequency-agile emitters and deployments in contested or disconnected settings.

The company said those conditions were placing greater pressure on operators to detect, identify and respond quickly, while also improving localisation accuracy for cueing other systems such as cameras, sensors and effectors.

"Our software roadmap is driven by operational outcomes," said Angus Harris, Chief Technology Officer, DroneShield. "Our quarterly releases focus on measurable engineering improvements that operators can put to work immediately. Whether it's faster tracking, greater localisation accuracy or new operational capabilities, each release strengthens the performance of deployed systems while building on the improvements delivered in previous quarters."

Offline support

A central change in the release is a new air-gapped update process for DroneSentry-C2. DroneShield said customers on disconnected or highly secure networks can now update software independently using removable media, reducing the need for remote support.

The company said the feature is intended to simplify lifecycle management in classified and sovereign environments where direct network connectivity is restricted or unavailable.

DroneShield has also added support for Cloud Optimised GeoTIFF maps in DroneSentry-C2, allowing customers to load their own offline mapping into the platform. That gives operators an alternative to commercial mapping services in remote locations, overseas deployments or environments where standard mapping is unavailable or unsuitable.

The addition expands the software's use in locations where internet connectivity is limited or where users need to rely on local or mission-specific map layers.

Sensor links

The Q3 release also expands interoperability with third-party systems and DroneShield hardware.

DroneShield said DroneSentry-C2 now supports SentryCompass, including resilient positioning through dual GNSS receivers with inertial navigation fallback. The company said this is designed to maintain positioning capability if GPS coverage is degraded or lost.

The release also adds support for Robin Radar IRIS On-The-Move for mobile radar deployments and Evica PinPoint Searchlight for visual target identification in low-light conditions.

DroneShield said it has also broadened third-party sensor support through DroneSentry-C2's generic sensor framework, allowing customers to integrate the platform into a wider range of existing sensor architectures.

Broader rollout

Additional language support has been added in Dutch, German, Ukrainian and Japanese.

DroneShield said the changes are intended to extend operational capability while improving the value of hardware already deployed in the field. The company positions its quarterly software releases as a way to add new functions and firmware improvements without requiring customers to replace existing systems.

The Q3 2026 software release is now available through DroneShield's access portal for eligible customers with active subscriptions.