On October 19, Ukrainian defense company BlueBird Tech presented a new model of the passive detector Chuika 4.5.0.
The company reports that the model name refers to military slang, where “4.5.0” means “all is well.” At the same time, the manufacturer announced the Chuika 3+ and upgrades for already purchased devices.
The model received an expanded frequency range, an updated appearance, and a new feature: analog video output from FPV drones to external monitors.
According to BlueBird Tech CEO Valerii Zarubin, the enemy is using an increasing variety of frequencies to transmit video signals from FPV drones, “Molniya” and other UAVs.
“What helped detect threats yesterday may not be enough tomorrow. We stay in contact with the military, listen to their needs, and adapt our developments to the realities of the front,” he notes, adding: “We want our soldiers to always have ‘4.5.0’ — to be safe. For us, that is the purpose we work for.”
Every additionally detected signal, in his words, is a chance to spot a threat earlier, gain seconds to react, and save lives.
Specifications
Chuika 4.5.0 operates in four bands: 1080–2200, 2870–4500, 4890–6040, and 6050–8800 MHz. The additional 6.05–8.8 GHz band significantly expands the capability to detect signals used by FPV drones and fixed-wing drones on the battlefield.
The detector scans all four bands in parallel in approximately 4–8 seconds. If the device detects a corresponding signal, it notifies the user with visual and audio indication, and the intercepted video is immediately displayed on the large screen. Detection range is up to 4 km depending on conditions and signal strength.
The key feature of the new version is the ability to stream analog video to external monitors. The user can not only receive a notification but also analyze video from an FPV drone on a television screen, which is useful for command posts and headquarters.
Design and Power
The PETG plastic housing measures 104 × 158 × 67 mm, and the device weighs 940 g. It is protected to IP54 standard against dust and splashes, and active cooling is provided. A MOLLE mount is included for attachment to gear.
Power is supplied via USB-C and an XT60 connector. Internally, a four-cell battery with a capacity of 5000 mAh per cell provides up to 4.5 hours of autonomous operation. If needed, the device can be connected to an external 12–28 V power source.
