Estonian Army Tests Airborne SIGINT Capability: SkyAgent 001 Sensor Integrated on FPV Drone in Live Exercise
During Exercise Spring Storm 2026, the Estonian Army's 131st Infantry Battalion tested the SkyAgent 001 passive RF sensor from Estonian defence-tech firm Sky Spy, mounted on a Croatian-made Orqa FPV MRM2-10 drone. The system successfully detected enemy electronic emissions beyond the reach of ground-based sensors, demonstrating viable airborne signals intelligence (SIGINT) capability for frontline units.
Highlights
- The Estonian Army's 131st Infantry Battalion tested the Sky Spy SkyAgent 001 passive RF sensor integrated on an Orqa FPV MRM2-10 drone during Exercise Spring Storm 2026.
- The airborne SIGINT system detected enemy electronic emissions beyond the coverage range of ground-based sensors in a simulated electromagnetic warfare scenario.
- SkyAgent 001 processes and classifies RF signals autonomously onboard, delivering actionable intelligence directly to soldiers without requiring specialist analysts.
- The system operates passively — emitting no signals — and features a modular interface for integration onto multiple drone platforms.
- Exercise Spring Storm 2026 involved over 12,000 military personnel from more than 20 NATO member states, highlighting NATO's collective defence commitment in the Baltic region.
Estonian Army Tests Airborne SIGINT Capability with FPV Drone-Mounted RF Sensor
The Estonian Army has tested an airborne signals intelligence (SIGINT) capability by integrating the SkyAgent 001 passive radio-frequency (RF) sensor, developed by Estonian defence-technology company Sky Spy, onto the MRM2-10 FPV drone manufactured by Croatian company Orqa FPV.
Exercise Background
The test was conducted during Estonia's largest annual military exercise, Exercise Spring Storm 2026, with the 131st Infantry Battalion of the Estonian Army serving as the participating unit. According to the companies involved, in a simulated electromagnetic warfare scenario, the drone-mounted sensor system successfully detected enemy electronic emissions that lay beyond the coverage range of ground-based sensors.
System Capabilities and Technical Features
The system is designed to detect, classify, and analyse RF signals emitted by a wide range of electronic systems, including radars, jammers, and drone control stations. By mounting the passive RF sensor on a drone, the system can operate above terrain obstacles — overcoming the line-of-sight limitations that typically constrain ground-based detection equipment — thereby extending coverage range and enhancing electromagnetic situational awareness for frontline troops.
The SkyAgent 001 is described as an autonomous system capable of onboard real-time signal processing and classification. Rather than producing raw data requiring specialist interpretation, it delivers actionable electromagnetic environment intelligence directly to soldiers in the field. The system operates passively, emitting no signals of its own, and can be integrated onto various drone platforms via a modular interface.
Exercise Scale
Exercise Spring Storm is Estonia's largest annual military exercise. This year's edition brought together more than 12,000 military personnel from over 20 NATO member states, underscoring NATO's collective defence posture in the Baltic region.
Sources: Sky Spy (via Defence Blog), Orqa FPV
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