Danish defense tech company lands $26M U.S. Army contract for wearable RF battlefield detection

Modern warfare is increasingly defined by what soldiers can’t see. Small drones, hidden radio frequency signals, and rapidly shifting electronic threats are changing how troops operate on the ground, forcing militaries to rethink battlefield awareness beyond traditional optics and radar systems.

That shift is creating new demand for lightweight wearable systems that can detect hostile drone activity in real time without adding significant burden to soldiers already carrying heavy equipment. One area attracting growing investment is passive RF sensing, which allows troops to identify drone communications and electronic threats before they become visible overhead.

Danish defense company MyDefence is among the firms benefiting from that transition. The company recently secured a $26 million contract with the U.S. Army tied to its wearable drone detection technology, designed to help soldiers detect and respond to nearby unmanned aerial systems on the battlefield.

Why wearable RF detection matters

Counter-drone systems have traditionally focused on vehicle-mounted hardware or larger fixed installations. But conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown how quickly small commercial drones can threaten infantry units operating far from centralized protection systems.

Portable RF detection tools attempt to close that gap. Instead of relying on visual confirmation, these systems monitor radio frequency activity associated with drone controllers and data links. That gives troops an early warning signal even when drones are flying beyond line of sight or in low-visibility conditions.

MyDefence’s Wingman platform is designed specifically for this use case. The wearable detector alerts soldiers to nearby drone activity while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for dismounted operations.

Electronic warfare is becoming decentralized

The growing emphasis on soldier-level detection reflects a broader change in military doctrine. Electronic warfare capabilities that were once concentrated in specialized units are increasingly being pushed closer to frontline personnel.

According to the NATO, new innovation and testing ranges across allied territory are being used to accelerate the development of counter-drone and electronic warfare solutions, reflecting a broader push toward rapid experimentation and distributed battlefield capabilities across member states. 

That demand has accelerated procurement activity across NATO-aligned defense markets, particularly for systems capable of integrating with existing battlefield communications networks.

Defense tech startups are gaining ground

The contract also highlights how smaller European defense technology firms are gaining traction with U.S. military buyers. While major defense contractors still dominate large procurement programs, specialized startups focused on AI, drone defense, and RF intelligence are increasingly securing targeted contracts tied to rapidly evolving battlefield needs.

For companies like MyDefence, adaptability may be the competitive advantage. Drone threats evolve quickly, especially as low-cost commercial hardware becomes easier to modify for military purposes. Systems built around software-defined detection and continuous signal analysis are often easier to update than traditional hardware-heavy defense platforms.

As unmanned systems continue reshaping modern combat, wearable electronic detection tools are likely to become standard equipment rather than niche additions. The challenge for defense organizations now is scaling those capabilities fast enough to match the pace of change on the battlefield.