German investigators have found a suspicious antenna in a tree near Leipzig/Halle Airport that security sources believe may have acted as a signal booster for a suspected explosive drone. The drone was discovered on 5 August near a parked Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft, prompting a federal investigation into attempted causing of an explosive blast and dangerous interference with air traffic.
The case is being handled by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office and other security authorities after media reports from WDR, NDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung uncovered new details on the device. In addition to the antenna, investigators have reportedly secured DNA traces and found 5G antennas, a 5G router, two SIM cards and an auxiliary battery on the drone.
Authorities are examining whether the aircraft was remotely controlled over a mobile network from a greater distance than initially assumed. That points to a more technically sophisticated operation than a simple line-of-sight drone flight and has sharpened concerns over the vulnerability of airport cargo zones and other restricted areas.
No suspects have been identified publicly. The exact role of the antenna has not been independently confirmed, but investigators suspect it may have improved the drone’s communications link at the airport perimeter.