To Deflect Russia's 'Miracle' Glide-Bombs, a Ukrainian Team Invented a New Jammer: One That Blasts Radio Noise In a Powerful Stream

Night Watch's Lima Focus jammer appears to be directional

In early 2024, Russian engineers modified the Russian air force’s KAB glide-bombs with more channels for their satellite radios. This made them harder to defeat by electronic means, as a jammer would have to interfere with each Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna channel to send the bomb off course. (Watch a Russian munition miss its target in the video above.)

Ukraine’s Night Watch electronic warfare team sprung into action. “When the enemy began using KAB guided bombs with Cometa‑8 eight-channel CRPA, we implemented eight-fold jamming coverage,” said Night Watch’s leader, whose nom de guerre is “Alchemist.”

It was the latest bout in an ongoing duel between Russian munitions-makers and Ukrainian electronic-warfare developers. The Russians develop a new bomb, missile or drone; the Ukrainians develop a new jammer to stop it; the Russians respond with another new munition; the Ukrainians hurry to field yet another jammer.

Neither side can rest, lest the enemy gain a lasting advantage. So on and so forth as Russia’s wider war on Ukraine grinds toward its fourth year. In the third year, the Russians very nearly gained an enduring firepower edge—with KABs that blew right through area jamming coming from just one direction.