National security: KEAS launches its MinKa digital jammers for neutralizing civilian drones

About KEAS

Founded in 1980, KEAS (a subsidiary of the Telio group) is a major French player in the world of secure communications and complex security automation systems. Specializing in the design, manufacture, and sale of communication detection and jamming systems since 2005, KEAS has installed several thousand systems in France and abroad, addressing both the civilian and military markets.

The name comes from the Minka Bird that is a creature featured in Aboriginal dreamtime stories. According to the Aboriginals, the sighting of the Minka Bird foretells certain death.

Origins of the Figure: The Aboriginal tribe of Peramangk is thought to be the starting point of the story of the Minka Bird, who claimed that the bird lived on Mount Barker.

Based in Grenoble, France, KEAS is an expert in detecting and jamming mobile communications since 2005. The company is expanding its offering and launching the digital versions of its flagship products: the MinKa anti-drones system.

KEAS’ latest products were recently showcased and tested in front of government bodies at a military camp in the Paris region. “This is a decisive step for KEAS, demonstrating to key national decision-makers our ability to offer a range of high-performance analog and digital products built entirely with French intelligence”, emphasizes David Morio, the chairman and CEO of the industrial group.

Conclusive demonstrations for the MinKam-715 (analog) and the MinKa-750D (digital)

The focal point of the day was the vehicle-mounted MinKa-750D digital anti-drones jammer. Equipped with seven frequency bands of 50 W each, the unit demonstrated its effectiveness against drones controlled by professional military pilots. The pilots, posted over 3,280 ft from the demonstration stand, alternated between low and high approaches (ground level to 490 ft), either fast or slow, and communicated live with the visitors. Each time the jammer was triggered, the pilots reported losing control of the drones, which “reared up” in the air.

The mobile MinKam-715 (44 lb. cabin case form factor) and the digital on-board MinKa-750D are designed to protect sensitive sites such as prisons, G7-type events, convoys, and military zones. Equipped with omnidirectional or directional antennas, they can neutralize all the frequencies used by known civilian drones, while allowing other RF equipment used by frontline staff to work. Three modes are available: jamming on detection, detection only or continuous jamming. The units can also be controlled via a tablet or a C2 command and control API. The benefit of using digital technology lies in the improved performance and real-time configurability in the field.

Also on display was the HYDRA solution from CERBAIR, which detects drones by analyzing radio frequencies. This unit couples with the MinKa to activate jamming automatically or manually whenever drones are detected within a radius of 1.2 miles, depending on the site configuration.

The MinKa system has already proved its worth in military applications. In the CECLANT project awarded to CERBAIR, it is mounted on a navy tug and protects nuclear submarines entering and leaving the Brest harbor.

Agile, experienced, and ambitious, the KEAS team continues to advance in the jamming industry, targeting both mobile communications and drones, with the goal of developing its national and international markets. “We are positioned in emerging markets where our close-knit, 100% made-in-France teams are a strong advantage,” concludes David Morio.

Pics and videos of the booth

Press contact

Amanda ETHERIDGE    ama.etheridge.ext@tel.io / +33 (0)6 66 11 26 56