Doodle Labs has collaborated with Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Red Cat) to incorporate mesh radio technology into Teal Drones’ systems, facilitating electronic warfare (EW) field evaluations in Ukraine.
According to the companies, the primary obstacle faced by Ukrainian forces in deploying small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) effectively has been jamming. By integrating Doodle labs’ frequency-hopping radios into Teal systems, these devices can circumvent jamming efforts and are suitable for multi-domain operations, including surveillance and swarm tactics.
The Helix Mesh Rider® radio from Doodle Labs features an integrated spectrum scanner that detects in-band interference and offers automatic switching between bands and channels. This tactical radio allows for frequency band changes in the field, accommodating six bands within a single unit. With backing from the Defense Innovation Unit, Doodle Labs claims that the Helix is the sole radio that fulfills the Blue UAS program criteria in one device.
The Teal 2 is an affordable, portable sUAS engineered to “Dominate the Night™,” equipped with advanced night vision capabilities, support for multiple vehicle control, and a fully modular design. It holds both Blue UAS Certification and FAA Remote ID approval. Manufactured by Red Cat subsidiary Teal Drones in Utah, the Teal 2 is tailored to assist U.S. military operations, public safety entities, and government agencies.
The ongoing collaboration between Red Cat and Doodle Labs is responding to the increasing demand from the U.S. and its allies for small,autonomous,and cost-effective drones that feature anti-jamming capabilities suitable for electronic warfare scenarios.
This recent successful test is part of a continuous innovation initiative that commenced in May 2023, following the partnership between Doodle Labs and Red Cat for the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) program prototype.
Red Cat emphasizes that its achievements with Doodle Labs and the integration of the Helix Mesh Rider® Radio enhance the company’s extensive tactical ecosystem, which includes collaborations with leading industry players. These partnerships enable multi-domain capabilities aimed at deterring conflict or achieving dominance in combat.
George Matus, CTO of Red Cat, remarked, “The primary goal of all our partnerships is to enhance the survivability and effectiveness of the warfighter, and our collaboration with Doodle Labs aligns perfectly with this mission.”
“The requirements for operations in electronic warfare environments are evolving rapidly as sUAS become essential in contemporary combat. The U.S. and its allies need systems that can resist jamming during critical missions, and this successful EW test marks a significant advancement for Teal in fulfilling these needs.”
Amol Parikh, Co-CEO of Doodle Labs, added, “The conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the urgent need for affordable, U.S.-manufactured drones that can be deployed swiftly and effectively while resisting enemy jamming efforts.”
“The dynamics of drone communication and jamming resemble a continuous game of cat and mouse, necessitating ongoing innovation. Our Mesh Rider radio has demonstrated its ability to evade even the most sophisticated jamming techniques over long distances, and we are optimistic about the successful integration and EW testing conducted with Red Cat and Teal.”
