Comparison
Synapse vs. traditional counter-UAS systems
Most airspace awareness technology today is genuinely capable, but built for a different customer. If you're a defense program integrating sensors across a military operation, one of those systems is a reasonable starting point. If you're a security director responsible for the airspace over a single critical-infrastructure site, Synapse is built for exactly that job.
Where they differ
| Synapse | Traditional / military-grade systems | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Critical infrastructure security teams | Military and defense operations |
| Procurement path | Direct pilot, weeks not quarters | Defense procurement cycle |
| Deployment footprint | Site-scoped, no classified infrastructure required | Program-scale, classified-capable architecture |
| Who it's sized for | A security team, not a program office | A defense contractor or government program |
| Pricing model | Directional — see Pricing | Enterprise/government contract |
One thing we don't do: jam or intercept drones. Synapse is detection and awareness only, and that's deliberate — not a feature we haven't built yet. Mitigation hardware brings FAA/FCC questions and a different regulatory footprint that most critical infrastructure sites don't need to take on just to get a real answer to “what's in our airspace.”
Common comparison questions
Is Synapse a replacement for a military-grade counter-UAS system?
No — if you're a defense program integrating sensors across a military operation, a military-grade system is likely the right starting point. Synapse is built for critical infrastructure security teams who need airspace visibility for a single site, not a program office running a classified deployment.
Can Synapse work alongside systems we already have?
Yes. Synapse is designed to sit alongside your existing physical security stack and fuse feeds from sensors you already operate, rather than requiring a rip-and-replace of what's already working.
Why not just use a military-grade system if budget allows?
Military-grade systems are built around a defense procurement cycle, classified-capable architecture, and a program-scale deployment footprint — all of which add cost and timeline that a single-site security team usually doesn't need or want.
Does Synapse include jamming or interception capability?
No, and that's on purpose. Synapse is a detection and awareness layer, not a mitigation system — it won't jam or disable a drone. That's a deliberate scope choice, not a gap: it's what keeps procurement and legal review straightforward for a security team, instead of pulling in the FAA/FCC questions that mitigation hardware raises.
Not sure which category fits your site?
Take the self-assessment — it's built to help you figure that out, not to sell you anything.