Air National Guard Awarded R2 Wireless Sensing Contract
The service has selected the ODIN system to enhance detection capabilities for drones and other radio frequency threats.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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The Air National Guard has awarded a firm-fixed-price contract to R2 Wireless for its ODIN passive radio frequency sensing technology. The system allows for the detection of drones and communication links without transmitting signals.
Why it matters
Rising drone activity near military installations has intensified the need for advanced, non-intrusive sensing technologies. The ODIN system addresses this demand by monitoring the environment for threats while maintaining operational security.
The ODIN system utilizes RF fingerprinting, machine learning, and Angle of Arrival and Time Difference of Arrival technologies to detect drones, control links, and radios at the physical waveform level.
The players
Air National Guard
This is a reserve component of the United States Air Force that provides operational support for domestic and international missions.
R2 Wireless
This technology firm specializes in radio frequency sensing solutions and maintains operations in Austin, Texas, and Tel Aviv, Israel.
The details
ODIN functions as a passive detection tool, meaning it monitors existing radio frequency signals without broadcasting any signals itself. It identifies threats by analyzing environmental data to determine emitter locations, providing a discreet security layer for military assets.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: The contract award was officially announced.
The Tech Race
The adoption of passive sensing marks a shift away from active radar systems that can potentially reveal military positions to adversaries. This moves defense strategy toward stealthier monitoring that remains invisible to modern electronic warfare tactics.
The implementation of such advanced sensing technology suggests a broader integration of machine learning into defense infrastructure. Users and developers in the security space can expect a continued shift toward automated, passive threat identification systems.
The takeaway
The move toward passive radio frequency detection underscores the increasing challenge of protecting airspaces from small, low-altitude drones. Organizations should prioritize sensing technologies that provide situational awareness without introducing new signal footprints.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in military digital defense in the United States Cybersecurity section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Everythingrf.
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