Researchers at Gdańsk University of Technology have developed STRATUS, a new counter-drone concept designed to neutralise unmanned aerial vehicles using electromagnetic energy rather than conventional kinetic interceptors. In simple terms, the system is intended to project an invisible beam that can disrupt or permanently damage a drone’s onboard electronics—effectively “frying” critical components responsible for navigation, communication, flight control and power management. If the technology performs as intended outside laboratory settings, it could add a domestically developed option to Poland’s rapidly expanding toolbox for protecting military units, critical infrastructure and public events from low-altitude unmanned threats.

Why systems like STRATUS matter now

Across Europe, drones have become a practical tool not only for reconnaissance and filming but also for smuggling, sabotage and battlefield surveillance. Their low cost, ease of acquisition and ability to fly close to the ground make them difficult to counter with traditional air-defence assets built for fast, high-altitude targets. Even relatively simple drones can generate outsized disruption: they can identify vulnerable points in infrastructure, probe restricted areas, interfere with logistics, or—in hostile scenarios—carry payloads that create real safety risks.

This is why many countries are investing in layered counter-UAS (unmanned aerial systems) defences. Such “layers” often include detection (radar, electro-optical sensors), tracking and identification, and then an effect that neutralises the target: jamming, spoofing, directed energy, or physical interception. STRATUS is positioned in this “effect” category—aiming to stop drones by attacking what makes them fly: their electronics.

How electromagnetic neutralisation differs from typical counter-drone measures

Most widely deployed counter-drone methods today rely on radio-frequency jamming or spoofing. Those techniques can be effective, but they often depend on knowing which frequencies a drone uses and they can be less reliable against autonomous flight modes or pre-programmed routes. Electromagnetic approaches—depending on the exact design—seek to cause a more direct disruption to electronics, potentially leading to loss of control, sensor failure or system shutdown.

In practice, the operational value of a solution like STRATUS would come from a few advantages that directed electromagnetic effects can offer:

• Speed of engagement: energy-based effects can be applied quickly once a target is detected and tracked.
• Potential cost efficiency per engagement: if the system’s “shot” is essentially electrical energy, the marginal cost can be lower than expending interceptor munitions—though this depends heavily on design and power requirements.
• Flexibility: a system that can be relocated and deployed rapidly can protect different sites as threat patterns change.

At the same time, these systems also face real engineering and operational constraints. Their effectiveness can depend on distance, line of sight, target shielding and the drone’s resilience. They must also be used safely in environments filled with friendly electronics—communications equipment, sensors, vehicles and civilian infrastructure.

Funding, partners and the project’s current stage

The STRATUS project has received PLN 22 million in funding from Poland’s National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR), highlighting that the initiative is being treated as a serious applied-research effort rather than a purely academic experiment. The programme involves 17 experts and is being developed in cooperation with Arex, indicating a bridge between university research capacity and industrial experience that can support eventual integration, manufacturing or deployment pathways.

Crucially, STRATUS is now in the prototype-building phase, following laboratory testing. This is the point where many promising concepts face their hardest transition: moving from controlled conditions to a working system that can operate reliably in the real world. Prototype work typically includes building a deployable form factor, integrating subsystems (power, control, targeting, safety), and preparing for trials that measure performance under varied environmental conditions.

What will determine whether STRATUS becomes a practical capability

For a counter-drone system to move from prototype to operational use, several questions will matter more than the headline concept itself:

1) Effective engagement range and consistency
A laboratory demonstration may show that electronics can be disrupted; field trials must show it can be done at meaningful distances and with repeatable results.

2) Target set: which drones can it stop?
The market includes everything from cheap quadcopters to more robust fixed-wing platforms. A credible system needs clearly defined performance against different classes of drones, including those with autonomous features.

3) Safety for friendly systems and civilian environments
Any directed electromagnetic effect must be controlled to avoid unintended interference with nearby infrastructure. Operational procedures, safety zones and hard technical safeguards are essential if the system is to be used near populated areas or sensitive facilities.

4) Mobility and deployment time
STRATUS is described as transportable and rapidly deployable. In practice, that means the system must be rugged, quick to set up, and operable with a small crew, ideally with minimal logistical footprint.

5) Integration with detection and command systems
Neutralisation is only one element. Real-world use requires integration with sensors that detect and track drones, as well as command-and-control workflows so operators can identify targets and respond proportionally.

A broader signal for Poland’s defence-technology ecosystem

Regardless of its final configuration, STRATUS reflects a broader trend: Poland is increasingly investing in domestic solutions that address modern, asymmetric threats. The cooperation between Gdańsk University of Technology and Arex, backed by NCBR funding, suggests an intent to create a pipeline from research to deployable capability—especially in areas where the threat evolves quickly and import-only strategies may be too slow or too expensive.

If the prototype stage is successful and the system’s performance and safety can be demonstrated outside the lab, STRATUS could become not only a useful tool for Polish security services and the armed forces but also a showcase of how Polish R&D can respond to rapidly changing operational realities.