SkyAgent 001: 1 Major French SIGINT Test Passed

SkyAgent 001 passed a French military test, showing how drones can find hostile emitters from the air.

SkyAgent 001 Passes GALENE Test

SkyAgent 001 completed a major airborne SIGINT test during France’s GALENE exercise. The exercise took place in May 2026 and was organised by France’s Cyber Defence Command.

Sky Spy and Evolve Dynamics used the trial to demonstrate airborne spectrum collection. Moreover, the test placed the SIGINT system on a rotary-wing drone.

All Priority Emitters Found

The system detected, classified and geolocated all high-priority radio frequency emitters. Therefore, the test showed clear value for tactical spectrum awareness.

SkyAgent 001 worked inside an electromagnetic capture-the-flag scenario. This format created realistic pressure against threat emitters and contested signals.

Sky Mantis 2 Carries Payload

SkyAgent 001 was integrated onto Evolve Dynamics’ Sky Mantis 2 rotary-wing UAS. The platform gave the payload an airborne position over the exercise area.

For platform background, see Evolve Dynamics’ Sky Mantis 2.

A Smaller Tactical Option

The test matters because small drones need less support than large aircraft. As a result, units can move SIGINT closer to battalion or brigade level.

This gives commanders more local awareness without needing theatre-level assets. Additionally, rotary-wing UAS platforms can launch from tighter spaces.

What Airborne SIGINT Means

Signals intelligence, or SIGINT, collects and studies electromagnetic emissions. These emissions can come from radios, radars, jammers and drone control links.

On a modern battlefield, these signals reveal important enemy activity. Therefore, finding them can help forces disrupt, attack or avoid threats.

Radio Emissions Reveal Targets

Commanders and troops use radio communications during operations. Meanwhile, drone operators create control-link emissions when they fly aircraft.

Radar and jamming systems also shape the electromagnetic environment. Consequently, a sensor that finds these signals can expose hidden battlefield nodes.

SkyAgent 001 Changes SIGINT Geometry

Ground-based SIGINT systems face a simple physical limit. They struggle when terrain, distance or the horizon blocks radio emissions.

An airborne sensor can look across a wider area from altitude. Because of this, it can collect signals that ground sensors may never see.

Better Angles Help Geolocation

Airborne collection also improves the geometry between sensor and emitter. This can make geolocation more accurate in complex terrain.

The advantage is not only range. More importantly, it lets troops search dangerous areas without standing near the threat.

GPS Independence Adds Resilience

Sky Spy describes SkyAgent 001 as lightweight and GPS-independent. The system can also operate autonomously without constant operator control.

This matters because GPS jamming and spoofing are now common. Therefore, systems that depend fully on satellite navigation face serious battlefield risk.

Autonomy Reduces Operator Load

Autonomous processing can speed up the collection cycle. It also reduces pressure on crews during fast-moving missions.

SkyAgent 001 can collect and process data without constant input. As a result, operators can focus on decisions rather than raw signal handling.

Ukraine Lessons Shaped Development

Sky Spy was established in 2024 as an American-Estonian company. Its background reflects the security pressure around Europe’s eastern flank.

The company says its systems have supported active front-line missions in Ukraine. Moreover, this gives the technology a combat-shaped development path.

Arsenii Hurtavtsov Explains Progress

Sky Spy CEO Arsenii Hurtavtsov said the partnership shows platform joint use. He linked the system’s value to spectrum awareness for military users.

He also said the team moved from concept to live demonstrations in under two years. Additionally, he said the systems support European armed forces with Ukraine-shaped lessons.

Evolve Dynamics Brings UAS Experience

Evolve Dynamics is the British UAS manufacturer behind Sky Mantis 2. Its CEO, Tom Redman, also linked the work to Ukraine experience.

Redman said the partnership combines shared front-line lessons with UAS integration skill. He also cited joint trials from the company’s Kyiv facility.

NATO Demonstrations Add Weight

Redman said recent NATO demonstrations supported the integration process. The work focused on adding advanced electronic sensing to UAS platforms.

This allows operators to detect and locate hostile RF activity. In addition, the targets can include drone operators and jammers.

Drone Operators Become Key Targets

Drone operators create radio frequency signatures during control activity. These emissions can expose the location of FPV and other drone teams.

Finding the operator can be more valuable than stopping one drone. Instead, removing the operator can cut the threat at its source.

Jammers Also Become Visible

Jammers can protect enemy forces and disrupt friendly systems. However, they also emit signals that a SIGINT payload can hunt.

SkyAgent 001 therefore supports both drone defence and electronic warfare awareness. Consequently, it can help forces understand the spectrum before they strike.

French Cyber Command Assessment

Lieutenant-Colonel Élie Fontana gave the French operational assessment. He leads the GCEM Unit at France’s Cyber Defence Command.

He said Sky Spy demonstrated a lightweight airborne SIGINT ability. Moreover, he highlighted detection, classification and geolocation in complex electromagnetic conditions.

Tactical Spectrum Awareness

Fontana said the system showed clear operational potential. He linked that potential to tactical spectrum awareness in modern military operations.

This assessment gives the demonstration added weight. It shows that the test addressed practical military needs, not only technical goals.

Smaller Drones Are Next

The partnership will now expand to smaller tactical drones. This includes Evolve Dynamics’ Wolfe-NATO platform.

Scaling the payload down could spread SIGINT across more units. Therefore, allied forces may gain wider access to airborne spectrum awareness.

For wider context, read our Air Systems coverage on DMX Defence.

Strategic Insight

SkyAgent 001 shows why airborne SIGINT is becoming more important. Modern forces must find emitters before those emitters guide attacks.

The key advantage is distance. A drone can search for hostile signals without placing soldiers near enemy systems.

More importantly, this approach targets the source of drone threats. Detecting drone operators and jammers can weaken the enemy network itself.

Ukraine’s battlefield lessons also give the system practical value. They show how fast electronic warfare and drone warfare now evolve.