Vendor Profile: D-Fend Solutions
D-Fend Solutions assessment. The RF cyber-takeover approach to counter-drone. What EnforceAir delivers — and why the PLUS upgrade tells you what the original couldn't do.
Vendor Profile: D-Fend Solutions
Company Snapshot
D-Fend Solutions is an Israeli cybersecurity company founded in 2016 and focused exclusively on autonomous systems security, with counter-drone mitigation as its primary commercial product line. Unlike detection-focused vendors or hardware-heavy RF jamming companies, D-Fend competes on a single, differentiated capability: protocol-level cyber takeover of drones without RF jamming.
The company is privately held, venture-backed (investors include Spark Capital, Greenfield Partners), and profitable at the EBITDA level as of 2023. D-Fend operates R&D facilities in Israel and has commercial and support presence in the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The company has not disclosed total revenue, but market estimates place annual revenue in the $15–$25 million range as of late 2024.
D-Fend's strategic positioning is precise: the company seeks to capture the market segment that values non-jamming mitigation—customers in RF-sensitive environments (hospitals, dense urban, spectrum-congested facilities) where traditional RF jamming causes unacceptable collateral damage.
What They Make
D-Fend's product portfolio is narrow by design, concentrating on a single core capability with incremental variants:
EnforceAir (Core Protocol-Level Takeover Platform)
EnforceAir is D-Fend's flagship product: a cyber takeover system that intercepts drone command-and-control signals at the protocol level, injects authenticated commands, and seizes control without jamming or signal disruption.
The system architecture is sophisticated but conceptually straightforward: 1. RF Monitoring: EnforceAir detects and analyzes RF signals in the 400 MHz–6 GHz band, logging traffic patterns in real-time. 2. Protocol Identification: Machine learning and signature analysis identify the drone platform and protocol family (DJI OcuSync, MAVLink, proprietary custom, etc.). 3. Vulnerability Analysis: The system identifies known weaknesses in the identified protocol: unencrypted fields, weak authentication, key derivation exploits, default credentials. 4. Command Injection: Valid (but attacker-crafted) commands are synthesized using identified protocol specifics and authentication mechanisms, then injected into the C2 link. 5. Control Transfer: If injection succeeds, the drone treats attacker commands as authentic and executes them (land, RTH, hover, transfer control).
Success rates reported by D-Fend and third-party evaluators range from 70–95% against current-generation commercial drones (DJI Air 3, Mavic 3, etc.), depending on: - Platform generation: Newer platforms with stronger encryption are harder targets; older platforms (Phantom 4, older Mavics) are much easier. - Link redundancy: Some drones maintain dual control links (RC + cellular backup, or dual RC frequencies); single-channel takeover succeeds against the RC link but fails if the drone can switch to backup. - Autonomous operation: Drones executing pre-programmed missions with offline autonomy cannot be fully seized via C2 takeover alone; takeover forces a halt to the current command but does not erase the mission logic.
The operational flow is: detect drone, analyze protocol (< 1 second), identify vulnerability (< 1 second), inject command (< 500 ms), await response (1–2 seconds). Total time from detection to control transfer is typically 2–5 seconds, which is operationally meaningful: a drone 50 meters from a target facility, traveling at 10 m/s, reaches the target in 5 seconds. Takeover in time requires detection with < 1–2 second latency, which is feasible with integrated detection but challenging in isolation.
EnforceAir PLUS (Integrated with Radar and Optional Jamming)
EnforceAir PLUS is the 2023+ generation, adding: 1. Integrated Radar: 3D search radar (typically solid-state or phased-array) for passive detection independent of RF emissions. Radar enables detection of drones that are not currently transmitting (drones in silent/autonomous mode). 2. Optional RF Jamming: PLUS can optionally add RF jamming as a secondary mitigation method, converting to a hybrid cyber+jamming system.
The PLUS designation is significant because it reveals an implicit admission: cyber-takeover-only has vulnerabilities that radar and jamming address. Autonomous drones operating without active C2 link (silent flight mode) cannot be seized via cyber takeover, because there is no C2 link to intercept. Radar detection addresses this. RF jamming addresses scenarios where cyber injection fails due to protocol hardening or unknown vulnerabilities.
In other words, PLUS = "cyber-only wasn't enough."
PLUS systems cost significantly more than base EnforceAir (roughly 1.5–2x the price) due to radar and jamming components. The cost increase is $200k–$400k, making PLUS systems $400k–$700k capital cost compared to $200k–$350k for base EnforceAir.
Operational Deployment Models
D-Fend offers EnforceAir in three deployment configurations: 1. Tactical Portable: Handheld/vehicle-mounted RF receiver and processing unit, suitable for rapid deployment or mobile protection. Cost: $50k–$100k. 2. Fixed Site: Integrated system with fixed antennas, power supply, and optional radar/jamming, suitable for permanent facility protection. Cost: $200k–$700k depending on whether PLUS integration is included. 3. Networked Grid: Multiple EnforceAir nodes integrated via fiber or wireless backbone, enabling city-scale or region-scale takeover coverage. Each additional node cost is $150k–$300k; integration and command-center software adds $100k–$200k per site.
Where They Are Deployed
D-Fend's customer base is primarily government and critical infrastructure in Israel, Europe, and North America:
Israel and Middle East
D-Fend is headquartered in Israel and has deep relationships with Israeli government agencies (Israeli Police, Shin Bet, IDF). Specific deployment details are classified, but public information indicates EnforceAir systems are deployed at Israeli airports, critical infrastructure sites, and military facilities. Israel's high drone threat environment (state and non-state actors) has provided real-world testing ground.
D-Fend also markets to Middle Eastern allies (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt) with proven successful deployments, though customer details are withheld under security classification.
Europe
European deployments are growing, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe with concerns about Russian drone incursions. Hungary, Poland, and Czech Republic have conducted trials with EnforceAir systems. The European Union's emerging C-UAS procurement initiatives (EU-supported purchases) have created demand for cyber-based systems as an alternative to broad-spectrum RF jamming, which triggers EU spectrum-regulation concerns.
Germany and France have conducted evaluations; public announcements have been limited, suggesting ongoing procurement decisions rather than finalized deployments.
North America
D-Fend markets to U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, with particular emphasis on critical infrastructure protection (airports, power plants, water treatment). Specific U.S. government deployments are not publicly confirmed, but press releases indicate active engagement with U.S. federal agencies for evaluation and pilot programs.
Canadian government agencies (Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP) have reportedly evaluated EnforceAir for potential procurement.
Public Announcements
D-Fend does not disclose customer identities or deployment locations beyond general geographic regions and customer categories. Annual reports mention "government customers across three continents" and "critical infrastructure operators in Europe and North America," but specific contract values are not disclosed. Estimated global installed base is 10–20 operational EnforceAir systems, with an additional 5–10 systems in trial or pre-deployment phase.
What Sets Them Apart
Non-Jamming Approach
D-Fend's fundamental differentiator is the elimination of RF jamming collateral. In RF-sensitive environments (hospitals with life-critical medical devices, emergency communications centers, dense urban areas with cellular/WiFi infrastructure), RF jamming is unacceptable due to potential interference. D-Fend's cyber approach creates no RF emissions and does not disrupt legitimate spectrum users.
This positioning is operationally meaningful. A hospital cannot deploy RF jamming systems without explicit FDA approval and coordination with medical-device manufacturers; cyber takeover requires no such approval. Similarly, cities cannot blanket airspace with RF jamming without telecommunications regulatory approval; cyber takeover operates silently.
Speed of Engagement
Cyber takeover achieves control transfer in 2–5 seconds from detection—faster than most kinetic methods (interceptor drones require 1–3 minutes), comparable to RF jamming, but without the collateral. Against time-critical threats (drones approaching protected facilities), speed advantage is meaningful.
Platform Selectivity
Cyber takeover is inherently platform-selective. The system can be configured to target specific drone types (block DJI platforms, allow other manufacturers, or vice versa). RF jamming affects all drones indiscriminately. In scenarios where multiple drone types are operating (e.g., authorized UAS operations near a protected facility), cyber takeover allows fine-grained discrimination, while jamming must jam all platforms.
Non-Destructive
Cyber takeover is non-destructive: the seized drone is recovered intact, enabling forensic analysis, intelligence collection, and (potentially) return to legitimate operator if the incursion was accidental. Kinetic intercept destroys the platform; RF jamming forces descent but loses the drone to impact. From an operational-security standpoint, intact drone recovery is valuable for threat intelligence.
Israeli Cyber Expertise
D-Fend operates within Israel's deep cybersecurity talent ecosystem and government-industry coordination on autonomous systems security. This creates technical advantages: the company has access to protocol expertise, vulnerability research, and intelligence on emerging drone platforms. Israeli government relationships also provide real-world testing environments (the Middle East's drone threat is among the world's highest).
What the Brochure Won't Tell You
Protocol Dependence
Cyber takeover is fundamentally protocol-dependent: the system must know the target drone's protocol to exploit it. DJI's OcuSync protocol dominates commercial drone market share (>70%), and D-Fend has likely invested significant resources in OcuSync exploitation. However, as DJI and other manufacturers harden protocols (rolling out encrypted C2, upgrading authentication, deploying key-rotation schemes), the attack surface shrinks. D-Fend's success against future-generation platforms is uncertain.
Additionally, custom or military platforms with proprietary protocols are nearly impossible targets for D-Fend. A U.S. military RQ-11 Raven, Chinese WZ-8, or Israeli Hermes 450 uses protocol D-Fend may never see or analyze. This creates a fundamental limitation: cyber takeover works against commercial platforms; against military platforms, D-Fend users must supplement with other mitigation methods.
Autonomous Drone Vulnerability
Autonomous drones operating in pre-programmed, offline mode—flying GPS waypoints with onboard obstacle avoidance—cannot be seized via C2 takeover, because the C2 link is not active. Cyber takeover depends on an active, receiving C2 link. Drones in silent flight mode have no such link. This is why EnforceAir PLUS added radar (to detect silent drones) and optional jamming (to disable drones that are not responding to cyber commands).
The implication is clear: a adversary operating drones in autonomous mode can largely bypass D-Fend's cyber takeover. This is not a theoretical problem; autonomous operation is standard for professional platforms (military, survey drones) and increasingly available on commercial platforms (DJI Matrice with obstacle avoidance and mission planning can operate autonomously).
Swarm Scalability
Cyber takeover of individual drones is straightforward; cyber takeover of coordinated swarms is much harder. A swarm of 10–50 drones communicating with each other requires either: (1) targeting each drone individually (serial takeover, slow), or (2) targeting the swarm coordinator/control node (if one exists). Option 1 scales poorly; option 2 requires identifying and locating the swarm control system, which may be airborne (a relay drone) or heavily protected.
D-Fend does not publicly disclose swarm capability; this likely reflects immaturity in this area. As adversaries deploy swarms (small drones coordinating attacks), D-Fend's vulnerability to swarms becomes operationally significant.
Range Limitations
Cyber takeover range is limited by RF reception: the system must receive the drone's C2 uplink and downlink signals to analyze and inject commands. Typical range is 1–3 km against small drones, shorter against platforms with low-power transmitters. This is comparable to RF jamming range but shorter than radar-based detection, creating a mismatch: radar can detect at 10+ km, but cyber takeover only works at 1–3 km.
This range mismatch becomes critical for airfield defense: an airport's detection radar might detect a drone at 15 km range, but cybertakeover only becomes viable once the drone is within 2–3 km. The intermediate 5–12 km window is a dead zone where neither cyber takeover nor other mitigation methods are effective. Kinetic intercept or additional RF jamming coverage is required.
Premium Pricing
D-Fend systems are priced at the high end of the C-UAS market. EnforceAir base systems are $200k–$350k; PLUS systems are $400k–$700k. This is 2–4x the cost of RF jamming-only systems from competitors. The premium is justified by the sophistication and the non-jamming advantage, but it limits addressable market. Price-sensitive customers (small municipalities, private security firms) cannot afford D-Fend systems and must resort to cheaper RF jamming or detection-only solutions.
PLUS = Implicit Admission of Cyber-Only Limits
The existence and popularity of EnforceAir PLUS (radar + optional jamming) implicitly reveals that cyber-only EnforceAir has recognized operational gaps. The addition of radar addresses the autonomous-drone problem; the optional jamming addresses protocol-hardening and swarm scenarios. However, the fact that the base system needed these supplements suggests that cyber takeover, while powerful, is not sufficient as a standalone mitigation.
Customers reading between the lines should recognize: D-Fend developed PLUS because pure cyber was not operationally complete. The question then is: if you need radar and jamming anyway (PLUS configuration), why not use a more integrated system from a vendor with mature radar and jamming (e.g., DroneShield DroneSentry-X, larger primes)?
Vendor Lock-In and Update Dependence
EnforceAir systems are software-dependent: protocol definitions, vulnerability exploits, and firmware patches are cloud-managed by D-Fend. Customers cannot modify exploit code or protocol definitions; they are dependent on D-Fend's update schedule. If D-Fend discovers a protocol vulnerability but does not publish an update for 6 months, customers cannot exploit it.
This is a lock-in model: customers cannot easily migrate to competitors without losing the cyber takeover capability. For government customers with strong vendor-independence requirements, this creates risk.
Limited Operational Track Record in Conflict
While D-Fend systems are deployed in Israel and Middle East, public information on their performance in actual military conflict (Hamas incursions, Houthi attacks, etc.) is minimal. The company understandably maintains operational security around deployment results, but customers should recognize that performance in testing may differ from performance under peer-adversary pressure, electronic countermeasures, and adaptive drone tactics.
Competitive Position
D-Fend competes in a narrowly defined niche: RF-sensitive environments where cyber takeover is the preferred mitigation method. In this niche, D-Fend is the market leader and only serious competitor. However, the broader C-UAS market (which includes jamming, kinetic, directed energy) is increasingly dominated by larger vendors (Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris).
D-Fend's strategy appears to be: (1) establish deep relationships with government customers in Israel, Europe, and North America; (2) build EnforceAir PLUS into a credible integrated system; (3) potentially acquire radar and jamming capabilities (either organically or via acquisition), to compete as a full-spectrum vendor; or (4) be acquired by a larger prime seeking cyber-takeover expertise.
The acquisition possibility is non-negligible. A large defense contractor seeking to expand C-UAS offerings would benefit from D-Fend's cyber expertise, Israeli relationships, and operational experience. Estimated acquisition price (should the company be put up for sale) is $150–$400 million, depending on revenue growth and customer pipeline confidence.
Pricing and Economics
EnforceAir base system (RF monitoring, cyber takeover): $200k–$350k capital, $5k–$10k annually for software updates and support.
EnforceAir PLUS (with radar and optional jamming): $400k–$700k capital, $10k–$20k annually.
Tactical/portable EnforceAir (handheld): $50k–$100k capital, $2k–$5k annually.
Networked deployments add integration, command-center software ($100k–$200k per site) and additional node costs ($150k–$300k per node).
Total cost-per-site for an integrated cyber+radar+optional-jamming system (PLUS configuration) with command center: $600k–$1.2M capital, $20k–$40k annually. This is 1.5–2x the cost of RF-jamming-only systems but significantly less than kinetic or directed-energy systems.
Bottom Line
D-Fend Solutions is a specialized, high-capability vendor for customers who prioritize non-jamming mitigation in RF-sensitive environments. The company has genuine technical expertise in protocol-level cyber takeover and an impressive operational track record in Israel. EnforceAir provides a unique capability unavailable from larger competitors.
However, customers should recognize D-Fend's limitations: cyber-only systems are protocol-dependent, struggle with autonomous drones and swarms, and require supplementation with radar and jamming (PLUS) for complete coverage. The addition of PLUS essentially converts D-Fend into a full-spectrum C-UAS vendor at premium pricing, which reduces the value proposition relative to more integrated competitors.
D-Fend is most suitable for: (1) customers in hospitals, dense urban, or RF-constrained environments where jamming is unacceptable, (2) government agencies with specific protocol-exploit requirements, or (3) organizations with strong Israeli partnership objectives. For customers with no RF constraints and traditional mitigation preferences, larger vendors with integrated detection+jamming+kinetic offerings are likely more cost-effective.
Evaluation criteria for D-Fend: (1) validate cyber takeover success rates against your specific drone platform portfolio in your RF environment via site trials, (2) assess whether autonomous-drone scenarios are operationally realistic (if yes, budget for PLUS upgrade), (3) negotiate software update and licensing terms to minimize vendor lock-in, and (4) request references from deployed sites with 12+ months operational experience.