RFTech Accelerates Anti-Drone Commercialization with Leading Domestic Defense Firm... Prototype Delivery Scheduled for October

RFTech is expanding its radio frequency (RF) technology, accumulated through its fifth-generation (5G) mobile network business, into the defense sector. The company is accelerating commercialization efforts by partnering with major domestic defense firms to develop anti-drone antennas capable of detecting and countering drone signals.

On September 22, RFTech, a developer of RF solutions for 5G telecommunications equipment, announced that it is developing an antenna for electronic warfare-based anti-drone defense systems in collaboration with a leading domestic defense company, referred to as Company A.

The antenna currently in development is designed to detect radio signals used by drones, determine their direction, and relay the information to countermeasure equipment. RFTech plans to incorporate the wideband signal processing, interference suppression, direction finding, and radio wave control technologies it has built up in its 5G communications equipment business into the anti-drone defense system.

RFTech intends to deliver prototype units to its client in October. Based on the client’s verification results, the company will proceed with further development and expand the scope from antennas to compact jamming systems. Through this, RFTech aims to solidify plans for a portable drone protection system business.

The anti-drone business is considered a key area in RFTech’s strategy to extend its existing 5G RF technology into next-generation businesses such as AI networks and 6G. This is because high-capacity, low-latency wireless communications required for AI networks, signal detection and response within anti-drone systems, and high-frequency and precision beam control in 6G all fundamentally rely on RF technology capable of accurately detecting, filtering, and controlling radio signals.

A company representative stated, "As AI expands beyond data centers into the real world with robots, drones, and smart factories, the role of wireless networks is becoming increasingly important. To transmit the large volumes of data generated by multiple cameras and sensors in real-time, and to deliver AI-generated control commands without delay, high uplink capacity, stable latency, and precise beam control are essential."

RFTech has already applied its technology to mass production by manufacturing 5G Massive MIMO AFUs. The globally emerging AI-RAN technology is a next-generation wireless network that leverages AI to optimize frequency resources, interference, beamforming, and energy use in real-time. To realize this in real radio wave environments, advanced RF hardware capable of simultaneously processing multiple signals and reducing interference is necessary.

Following the commercialization of compact RF filters in 2024, RFTech is now preparing for the mass production of next-generation 5G AFUs targeting the North American market in 2026. The company highlighted its experience in translating physical-layer technology into real products and connecting this to mass manufacturing.

RFTech is also concurrently developing technology related to 6G. Together with a leading domestic telecom equipment manufacturer, the company is co-developing compact RF filters compatible with candidate frequencies for 6G.

In environments with higher frequencies than 5G, technologies that reduce signal loss and interference become crucial. RFTech’s plan is to secure technology applicable to multi-band, high-density equipment and to preemptively acquire design and measurement capabilities needed for 6G candidate bands and advanced Massive MIMO implementations.

R&D for these initiatives is being handled by RF-focused subsidiary RFTC. RFTC is not only expanding its research workforce but also upgrading testing and measurement infrastructure and focusing investments on intellectual property acquisition and joint development with clients and specialized companies.

RFTech’s approach is to combine RFTC’s research and development competencies with the parent company’s global client support and mass production know-how. The company aims to move beyond the R&D stage by pursuing phased commercialization—going through prototype manufacturing, client verification, and eventually full-scale production.

A company representative mentioned, "Although AI networks, anti-drone systems, and 6G are separate markets, they share the common need for core RF technology capable of accurate detection, filtering, and control of radio waves. Building on our proven mass-production experience in 5G, we will proceed step-by-step with joint development, prototype delivery, and technology verification to translate future technologies into tangible products and business results."

The company is also broadening the scope of its defense sector technology applications. In partnership with major defense contractors, RFTech is developing hardware-based security technology designed to counter physical infiltration and cloning of cryptographic chips. By following up on anti-drone RF technology with innovations to enhance the reliability and security of defense electronics, RFTech aims to further expand its business domain.

RFTech plans to leverage its RF know-how and mass-production experience from 5G to pursue joint development and commercialization of products with clients in anti-drone, AI network, 6G, and defense security sectors, thus broadening the scope of its future business operations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.