Russia has Developed Counter-UAS Based on Mi-8 Helicopter

Russia has developed a C-UAS based on the Mi-8 helicopter, presumably equipped with electronic warfare systems to jam the navigation of Ukrainian long-range drones.

The previously unknown system was ‘exposed’ by the Russian propaganda Telegram channel “Kirill Fedorov / War, History, Weapons.”

Judging by the photos, the helicopter is equipped with several panel antennas mounted at different angles to provide 180-degree coverage. Presumably, a similar setup is installed on the other side of the aircraft to ensure full coverage.

Only two cables are connected to each panel. This indicates that the electronic warfare system can operate on two channels.

Given this, it is unlikely that this electronic warfare system is designed to counter radio-controlled drones near the front lines, as it can cover only a very narrow frequency range.

The system’s likely purpose is to jam the satellite navigation systems of Ukrainian long-range strike UAVs operating on fixed frequencies.

If this theory is accepted, then it is likely that each of the two cables is responsible for a separate antenna polarization. This configuration allows for the transmission of jamming signals with different polarizations and reduces the dependence of jamming effectiveness on the spatial orientation of the drone’s navigation antenna.

It is also possible that the cables are responsible for different satellite navigation bands: one for L1 in the 1.5–1.6 GHz range, and the other for L2/L5 in the 1.2 GHz range. In this case, each panel can simultaneously jam signals in the main frequency bands used by the UAV’s multi-band satellite navigation receivers.

Although long-range strike UAVs are typically equipped with an inertial navigation system in addition to a GNSS system, this system is designed to correct deviations when the UAV enters relatively small areas of signal jamming for navigation systems, as it itself accumulates error over time.

Therefore, the Russian military likely plans to use these helicopters in a similar manner to the light-engine electronic warfare (EW) aircraft that Ukraine has adopted. Additionally, installing an EW system on a helicopter allows for its rapid deployment to the necessary regions.

As a reminder, according to a report by the private analytical firm Dallas Analytics, Russia plans to increase helicopter production and manufacture 72 Mi-8MTV-1 multipurpose helicopters between 2026 and 2027.

Specifically, as early as 2026, the Kazan Helicopters plant is expected to deliver at least 37 helicopters to the customer. Analysts note that these plans significantly exceed previous estimates of the Mi-8 production rate.