---
title: "Ukrainian 'Obriy' in civilian clothing: how Kara-Dag became a technology supplier for the US Army"
description: "The Ukrainian drone detector 'Obriy' was spotted at exercises in California under the American designation BlackSky Guardian-1. A partnership with the giant Anduril Industries opens a direct path for Ukrainian developers to the Pentagon market. 🇺🇸🇺🇦🚁"
date: 2026-06-09T15:16:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainian-obriy-in-civilian-clothing-how-kara-dag-became-a-technology-supplier-for-the-us-army
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukrainian 'Obriy' in civilian clothing: how Kara-Dag became a technology supplier for the US Army

![Operator controls Ukrainian 'Obriy' drone in field conditions — Karadag technology supplied to US military](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/09/ukrainskiy-obriy-v-shstatskom-kak-kara-dag-stal-postavschikom-tekhnologiy-dlya-armii-ssha/ukrainskiy-obriy-v-shstatskom-kak-kara-dag-stal-postavschikom-tekhnologiy-dlya-armii-ssha-1.webp)

On the training grounds of California, where large-scale military exercises are taking place, defense analysts' attention was drawn to unusual equipment. American military personnel were seen holding a portable unmanned aerial vehicle detector that is visually and functionally identical to the Ukrainian 'Obriy 1.3' from Kara Dag Technologies. However, the device's casing bore the marking BlackSky Guardian-1, which served as indirect confirmation of closed testing of Ukrainian frontline solutions for the needs of the Pentagon.

### Technology born on the front lines

'Obriy 1.3' is a mass-produced item created to solve a critical task: warning personnel about the approach of enemy drones. The device operates in radio frequency scanning mode, covering the 1.2 GHz, 2.4 GHz, and 4.9 to 6.0 GHz ranges. This allows it to effectively detect control signals from popular models, including FPV drones, as well as products from DJI and Autel.

The device's performance indicators are impressive: a stable detection range with direction finding of the target is up to 2 kilometers, while the maximum fixation radius reaches 5 kilometers. At the same time, the device is capable of operating autonomously for eight hours without recharging. An important feature for field conditions is the ability to output an analog video signal from the drone's camera to an external monitor, allowing the operator to see what the pilot of the enemy unmanned aerial vehicle sees.

To maintain stealth, the developers provided a special camouflage mode: in it, the LEDs are turned off, and the target alert occurs only through vibration.

### Unique 'cloud' protection

The main competitive advantage of Kara Dag Technologies' development is not just the 'hardware', but the intelligent ecosystem. The device relies on a unique cloud database of UAV radio frequency signatures. The mechanism of operation is similar to antivirus software: each device located in the combat zone records new frequencies and digital profiles of drones in real time.

This information automatically updates the global library. If a new type of signal is detected in one sector of the front, it instantly becomes known to all of the company's connected systems around the world. This allows the infantry to be ready for new threats before they become widespread.

### Partnership with a defense giant

The functionality of the Ukrainian development fully meets the current requests of the US Army's C5ISR Center, which is actively looking for portable radio frequency detection means for the infantry. A key stage for bringing the technology to the US market was the signing of an official partnership agreement between Kara Dag and the American company Anduril Industries in March 2026.

Anduril, one of the leading suppliers of software and defense systems for the US Department of Defense, integrates hardware solutions into its Lattice AI information platform. It is precisely the existence of direct channels of interaction between Anduril and the Pentagon that explains how the Ukrainian device ended up at secret American tests. The BlackSky Guardian-1 index recorded during the exercises is a temporary designation for testing before a potential large-scale purchase.