It’s been a while since the last post here, and a lot has happened behind the scenes.
Some of that was expected. Some of it definitely wasn’t. But overall, progress has been steady, and in some areas, much faster than I initially thought possible.
WarDragon Pro – Current State
WarDragon Pro continues to evolve as a compact, SDR-based system focused on drone detection and RF awareness.
At its core, the system still supports:
- Remote ID (WiFi and Bluetooth, including long range)
- DJI DroneID detection
- ADS-B (optional configuration)
- Integration into TAK environments via CoT
But the biggest recent effort has been focused on pushing beyond just detection.
DragonScope
A new optional service called DragonScope has been introduced.
DragonScope enables enhanced DJI detection, including extracting additional information from newer drone links, even in cases where Remote ID is unavailable or disabled.
This has been a major focus area, and getting it working reliably required building out a full chain from SDR ingest to processing and delivery.
Important note on how this works:
DragonScope requires an active internet connection. Data is sent from the WarDragon Pro to a server that I personally maintain under my physical control, running software I have personally designed and built for this purpose.
Data is processed in real time and is not stored.
Reality Check – Existing Kits
As with some things in life, free does not always translate to easy.
For existing WarDragon Pro kits, enabling DragonScope and newer capabilities will require some manual setup, including:
- Reflashing and reprogramming the SDR
- Updating system-side code
- Applying a generated license
This is not a one-click upgrade, but it is manageable with some guidance.
Next-Gen WarDragon Pro
Alongside software and processing improvements, work has been ongoing on an updated version of the WarDragon Pro hardware.
- Broader detection across additional signal types
- Improved reliability and layout
- External 12V power with support for inline components such as LNAs
- Locking power connectors
- Improved visibility into system status, including SDR, dongles, and connectivity
There will also be multiple variants moving forward, as some newer capabilities, including model-based detection approaches and expanded features, may require additional SDR resources.
What’s Coming
There is still a lot in progress.
- Expanded FPV detection, including DSP-based confirmation and image capture
- Additional signal detection methods
- Improved data integration, including MQTT, Lattice, and others
- Continued refinement of TAK integration via the plugin
Closing
This project has always been a mix of experimentation, frustration, and progress.
Some things took far longer than expected. Others came together faster than they should have.
Either way, it is moving forward.
If you are an existing WarDragon Pro user and would like to obtain access to test DragonScope, or if you have been following along and want to reach out as things continue to evolve, you can contact me here:
https://cemaxecuter.com/?page_id=563
More to come.
– Aaron