Kara Dag Technologies

Kara Dag Technologies is an American-Ukrainian firm founded in 2023 and based in Kyiv, Ukraine, that specializes in counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) and electronic warfare solutions. The company operates at the intersection of hardware and software, developing portable detection devices and networked intelligence platforms designed to identify, track, and catalog drone threats in real time. Its primary focus is on the detection and warning phase of the kill chain, providing operators with the situational awareness needed to decide whether to engage, evade, or ignore incoming unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The company’s flagship product is the Obriy wearable drone detector, a device designed for individual soldiers, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure operators. The Obriy system utilizes radio frequency (RF) and acoustic sensors to pick up signals from FPV (first-person view) and DJI-type drones across common control bands, with reported detection ranges extending up to 4,000 meters. The device offers direction-finding capabilities and can intercept analog video feeds, allowing users to visually confirm threats before they arrive. A stationary variant, known as Obriy-S, is available for the protection of fixed sites. In addition to the Obriy, Kara Dag produces the Stribog, an ultra-light autonomous signal-intelligence module weighing under 0.5 kg. This module can be mounted on third-party drones, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), or integrated into signal jammers, enabling mobile signal intelligence gathering and operator location tracking.

A core differentiator for Kara Dag is its proprietary database of drone signatures, which the company describes as the largest of its kind. This database functions similarly to a threat intelligence platform, where each deployed device contributes new signal data to a global, shared repository. When a drone is identified and cataloged in one combat zone, such as Ukraine, that signature becomes instantly available to any Kara Dag system worldwide. This networked approach allows the software to provide near-real-time updates on emerging drone threats, ensuring that the detection algorithms remain effective against new or modified UAV designs. The company emphasizes that its systems are operator-driven and do not require specialized training to deploy, allowing for rapid scaling across military and civilian units.

Kara Dag Technologies has gained attention for its role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where its devices are used to anticipate and prevent Russian FPV drone strikes. The company claims that its systems have contributed to saving thousands of lives by providing early warning of incoming attacks. While the company is venture-backed, with Green Flag Ventures listing it in its portfolio as a 2024 investment, specific details regarding its funding rounds, valuation, and employee count remain undisclosed. The firm positions itself as a low-cost, modular alternative to legacy C-UAS providers, leveraging a “protection swarm” model where multiple devices network together to provide robust coverage in dynamic environments.

The company’s technology is part of a broader ecosystem of Ukrainian drone-tech innovation, often compared to other firms like Swarmer and Anduril in terms of its focus on AI-driven targeting and detection. Kara Dag’s approach relies heavily on continuous feedback loops from frontline users to refine its software and hardware, with daily updates aimed at improving detection accuracy and reducing false positives. By combining lightweight hardware with a cloud-based intelligence layer, the company aims to democratize access to advanced counter-drone capabilities, making them accessible to a wider range of military and civilian operators.