In an era where electromagnetic signatures can betray the presence of even the most discreet military unit, a new passive surveillance technology promises to change the rules of engagement. Unveiled at the 2025 edition of the International Defence and Security Exhibition (FEINDEF) in Madrid, the StarLock system by Excem Technologies represents a leap in covert intelligence gathering, designed specifically for one of today’s most disruptive communication infrastructures: Starlink.
With wars increasingly being fought in the electromagnetic spectrum as much as on the ground, the ability to track satellite internet usage without detection is fast becoming a tactical necessity. The StarLock sensor fills this gap. It offers military and intelligence organizations a tool to detect, identify, and localize Starlink terminals without emitting any signals of its own—ensuring stealth in operations that demand it most.
Starlink, the low-Earth orbit satellite constellation by SpaceX, has fundamentally altered the communications landscape. Initially built to deliver high-speed internet to underserved regions, it has found an unanticipated role in warzones—particularly in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, where it has supported Ukraine’s military operations with near-constant connectivity.
This dual-use nature of Starlink creates both opportunities and risks. While Ukrainian units benefit from reliable, mobile communication, Russian forces see the terminals as high-value targets. The capacity to detect and locate them can mean the difference between operational success and catastrophic exposure.
Systems like Kalinka, developed by Russia’s Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies (CBST), are already attempting to detect and disrupt Starlink communications. However, Kalinka’s active detection mechanisms may themselves reveal its presence. StarLock, by contrast, promises passive detection—covert and silent, operating without betraying its own location.
According to the official product brochure and exhibition materials, the StarLock system is the world’s first passive Starlink terminal monitoring solution. Unlike traditional sensors that emit RF pulses or rely on active scanning, StarLock detects emissions from Starlink terminals without transmitting anything in return. This “listen-only” mode is crucial in environments where electromagnetic emissions can compromise missions.
StarLock can operate in both drone-mounted and ground-based configurations. When mounted on a drone, it offers a detection range of up to 5 kilometers with localization accuracy within 100 meters. On the ground, the range extends to 10 kilometers, though accuracy drops slightly to 500 meters—still within a tactically useful margin.
The system weighs less than 3 kilograms, making it compatible with a wide range of UAVs. It measures 250 x 150 x 150 mm and draws power from an onboard battery or external source, consuming no more than 25 watts. In drone applications, the internal battery provides about 2.5 hours of operation—aligned with the flight times of typical tactical UAVs.
Its AES-128 encrypted communication link over a 2.4 GHz MIMO channel ensures secure data transmission back to base, whether real-time or batch-processed. A graphical user interface (GUI) allows operators to interact with the data stream, view heatmaps of suspected Starlink activity, and adjust parameters depending on the mission.
Excem Technologies highlights five core capabilities of the StarLock system:
- Wide-area scanning to detect Starlink terminals in real-time.
- Field identification of terminal activity, distinguishing between active and idle units.
- Geo-location via heatmap interface, allowing visualization of Starlink terminal concentrations.
- Flexible deployment, suitable for stationary observation or mobile tactical platforms.
- Platform-agnostic design, compatible with nearly any UAV capable of bearing the 3kg payload.
What sets StarLock apart is its ability to operate completely passively, leaving no detectable electromagnetic footprint. This makes it particularly suited to electromagnetically contested or denied environments, where even a whisper of radio frequency could be tracked or jammed.
The StarLock sensor was developed with a clear use case in mind: to provide security and intelligence forces with the ability to monitor the presence and usage of Starlink satellite terminals in hostile or gray zone environments. Such scenarios include border surveillance, electronic intelligence (ELINT) operations, and battlefield recon where the enemy may be relying on commercial infrastructure for tactical advantage.
In a wide-area persistence surveillance (WAPS) role, a network of drone-mounted StarLock units could silently patrol contested airspace, gathering intelligence on the distribution of Starlink usage—perhaps indicating troop concentrations, mobile HQs, or command posts.
In more tactical ad-hoc deployments, a special forces unit might deploy a ground-based StarLock to monitor activity in a high-risk zone without emitting telltale radio waves that could betray their presence. In both cases, the sensor’s compact size and minimal power requirements make it an easy addition to existing reconnaissance kits.
StarLock’s GUI interface provides users with an intuitive heatmap, color-coding areas of suspected Starlink activity. This real-time or near-real-time information allows analysts and field commanders to make informed decisions—either avoiding hotspots or targeting them with electronic warfare or kinetic options.
The importance of passive systems like StarLock is underscored by recent reports out of Ukraine. In the ongoing conflict, Starlink terminals have become a lifeline for Ukrainian units cut off from traditional communication channels. But their usage also makes them traceable. Russian forces, with tools like Kalinka, have shown an increasing ability to detect, localize, and even disrupt or target these systems.
Russia has reportedly experimented with third-party acquisition and use of Starlink terminals, complicating the battlefield even further. In such an environment, differentiating friend from foe becomes a difficult task. Passive monitoring solutions like StarLock could help distinguish legitimate uses from suspicious activity, aiding in both defensive posturing and offensive targeting.
Moreover, as electronic warfare escalates, with jamming, spoofing, and denial-of-service attacks becoming more common, understanding the RF landscape—especially that involving commercial infrastructure—becomes vital. StarLock provides the eyes and ears in this invisible domain, helping commanders understand where the nodes of connectivity exist.
StarLock’s capabilities carry strategic ramifications far beyond the battlefield. As more governments, insurgencies, and even criminal organizations adopt commercial satellite internet for coordination and logistics, the ability to passively monitor this usage could reshape intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement efforts.
From monitoring cartel activity in Latin America to tracking smuggler routes in the Sahel, StarLock’s silent eyes could play a role in domains where conventional surveillance is too risky or ineffective. In heavily surveilled urban environments or rugged terrains, the device’s stealth and flexibility could offer critical advantages.
The question of data legality and ethics will inevitably arise. Monitoring commercial communication networks—even passively—raises questions about privacy, sovereignty, and information warfare. While the system is marketed strictly to government and defense users, its adoption will likely stir debate among privacy advocates, especially as passive sensors become more widespread.
StarLock is still in its early deployment stage, with Excem Technologies remaining tight-lipped on confirmed clients or operational use cases. However, its introduction at FEINDEF 2025 drew interest from several delegations, particularly from Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia—regions increasingly worried about the dual-use nature of satellite communications.
Experts speculate that NATO allies may incorporate such systems into broader C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) networks, especially in light of recent moves to integrate commercial space assets into military frameworks.
Moreover, as drone warfare continues to expand, systems like StarLock that enhance the situational awareness of UAV operators will be in high demand. Its drone-agnostic design ensures adaptability to existing fleets without major overhaul or cost.
StarLock represents a subtle yet powerful shift in surveillance technology. In a digital age where even civilian infrastructure like Starlink can tip the balance of a military engagement, the ability to observe without being seen is invaluable. Passive, compact, and precise, StarLock is not just another tool in the intelligence arsenal—it’s a strategic enabler for the invisible battles.
