The JB-RISE research cluster, composed of a research team led by Professors Dong-gu Lim and Seok-hwan Park from Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Division of Electronic Engineering, the Korea Research Institute for Shipbuilding and Offshore Equipment, and ㈜씨엔와이더스, will formally begin development of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based drone detection system. The participating company from the defense sector is Nexwill Co., Ltd.

The core objective of this project is to develop next-generation drone detection technology that can overcome the limitations of existing radar technology. The research cluster has established a mid- to long-term commercialization roadmap through the 2025 performance-sharing meeting and the first 2026 Regional Innovation Cooperation Platform establishment workshop. The project will be carried out in phased and systematic stages.

As drones have emerged as a key capability in modern conflicts such as the Ukraine–Russia war, drone detection technology is increasingly regarded as a critical defensive capability that determines battlefield survivability and operational sustainment. In particular, the surprise infiltration of small, low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles poses a threat to military bases and strategic assets, increasing the need for advanced detection technologies.

Conventional radar, which uses radio waves to detect target range and velocity in real time, has served as a core sensor for drone detection. However, technical limitations have persisted due to the small radar cross-section (RCS) of small drones, clutter effects in urban and mountainous terrain, and terrain masking associated with low-altitude flight.

Accordingly, the research cluster plans to leverage the Korea Research Institute for Shipbuilding and Offshore Equipment as a base and actively utilize a Saemangeum-based defense-industry demonstration testbed and research infrastructure that take advantage of the region’s geographic strengths. By consolidating key technologies held by participating institutions and the industry partner, the cluster aims to develop an AI-based drone detection system equipped with high-speed frequency scanning and precise position estimation functions.

In particular, to respond to increasingly sophisticated drone threats using frequency-hopping methods, the project will implement real-time frequency tracking and precision coordinate calculation technologies. These capabilities are expected to enable rapid integration with response systems and effective neutralization measures as next-generation core technologies.

Meanwhile, this research is being conducted as part of the JB-RISE Research Cluster establishment project supported by the Jeollabuk Special Self-Governing Province, and is carried out with the support of the JBNU RISE Project Group (Director Professor Son Jeong-min).