Guardian RF

What do they actually do

Guardian RF makes a small, passive radio‑frequency sensor (Scout) and a software platform (GRF‑SECURE) that together detect and log drone activity. Scout listens for control links between drones and their operators (it never transmits), timestamps detections, and streams them to the platform. The system supports operator localization via triangulation, classifies common control protocols (e.g., DJI, Crossfire, ExpressLRS), and integrates with operational tools like TAK and other C2 systems via APIs, including a multi‑sensor networking layer called Mosaic for wider‑area coverage guardianrf.com YC.

Today the company is deployed with early government, public‑safety, and event customers. Public signals include an AFWERX Direct‑to‑Phase‑II SBIR with the 30th Security Forces Squadron at Vandenberg Space Force Base, installs with local/state law enforcement and commercial security, and event operations (e.g., University of Miami during Championship Week) YC LinkedIn. The founders have field experience from Ukraine, which they cite as operational validation of their approach Georgetown Space Capital.

Next, they aim to scale from single‑site detection to a persistent, multi‑site data layer for low‑altitude airspace by increasing sensor density, hardening Mosaic across varied terrain, and deepening C2/TAK integrations. They’re also focused on resilience in contested environments (e.g., satellite backhaul like Starlink) and on productizing automated correlation/forensics. As a passive RF system, they cannot detect truly RF‑silent/autonomous drones, and triangulation accuracy depends on sensor density and placement; commercial scale‑out is still early and being proven via pilots, exercises, and events guardianrf.com Space Capital YC.

Who are their target customer(s)

• DoD and national‑security units (base security, force protection): Need always‑on monitoring around bases/ranges that feeds existing command systems for real‑time response and audit trails; solutions must be reliable, scalable, and work across complex sites YC Space Capital.
• Local and state law enforcement / public‑safety teams: Need fast, actionable alerts and simple records for investigations; bulky, expensive counter‑UAS gear is hard to buy and deploy for routine patrols or incident response YC Georgetown.
• Event and campus security (stadiums, universities, temporary events): Need low‑cost, quick‑install sensors for short windows, with minimal logistics and no specialist operators; must integrate with on‑site security workflows LinkedIn guardianrf.com.
• Critical‑infrastructure operators (energy sites, airports, utilities): Need persistent monitoring and attributable records to detect surveillance/interdiction; existing systems are often too expensive or cumbersome to scale across dispersed facilities guardianrf.com YC.
• Commercial security firms and systems integrators: Need compact, affordable sensors they can deploy widely, link for regional coverage, and feed into customers’ C2 tools with standard APIs and minimal customization guardianrf.com YC.

How would they acquire their first 10, 50, and 100 customers

• First 10: Convert current AFWERX/Direct‑to‑Phase‑II and exercise contacts into paid pilots at bases/ranges, and replicate short‑term event/campus installs (e.g., the University of Miami model) for operational testimonials and case studies YC LinkedIn.
• First 50: Offer a standardized, quick‑deploy kit and short rental/POC contracts to public‑safety, campuses, and small critical‑infrastructure sites to drive low‑touch adoption while collecting usage data to refine Mosaic correlation guardianrf.com Georgetown.
• First 100: Scale via reseller agreements with security integrators and larger government procurements; use AFWERX/Phase‑II outcomes as proof points and ship stable APIs/C2 connectors to fit into broader security stacks YC Space Capital.

What is the rough total addressable market

Top-down context:

Analyst estimates put the global anti‑drone/counter‑UAS market at roughly $3.1B in 2025, growing rapidly; the detection‑only subsegment is estimated around $0.73–$0.94B in 2024–2025 Grand View Research – anti‑drone Grand View Research – drone detection.

Bottom-up calculation:

Illustratively, if 5,000 US priority sites (DoD bases, law enforcement, campuses, stadiums, critical‑infrastructure) adopt a 10‑sensor kit averaging ~$25k per site per year (hardware amortization plus software), the initial U.S. serviceable TAM for passive RF detection would be ~${125}M in annual spend.

Assumptions:

• 5,000 priority sites is a blended estimate across defense, public‑safety, campuses, stadiums, and critical‑infrastructure in the U.S.
• Average deployment of 10 sensors per site to achieve basic triangulation/coverage in medium‑size facilities.
• Per‑site annual spend assumes ~$1k/yr hardware amortization and ~$1.5k/yr software per sensor; figures are rounded and illustrative.

Who are some of their notable competitors

• Dedrone: Sells passive RF sensors (RF‑310/360/560) and a software platform for real‑time alerts and forensics; competes directly on networked RF detection for airports, prisons, events, and enterprise sites.
• DroneShield: Offers integrated C‑UAS suites combining RF detectors, radar, cameras, C2, and optional electronic‑warfare defeat tools; targets customers wanting turnkey, layered systems rather than small distributed sensors alone.
• SkySafe: Provides managed, cloud‑first RF detection and forensics, partnering for radar/mitigation; competes on ease of deployment and hosted operations SkySafe–Fortem partnership.
• Fortem Technologies: Sells radar (TrueView/SkyDome) and autonomous mitigation/interceptor systems; competes where long‑range active sensing and automated defeat are required.
• Echodyne: Provides compact, software‑defined radar (EchoGuard/EchoShield) used to detect RF‑silent/autonomous drones; competes where radar is preferred or mandated.