A lightweight client-friendly mod that adds a handheld UAV detector with a minimal HUD (bottom-right), a custom beep, and server-controlled scan range. Works even from the inventory when switched ON, lists nearby drones with their current names (updates when Superb Warfare renames a linked drone) and shows an approximate distance. The beep triggers only for the closest UAV.
Item-based detector (toggle ON/OFF via right-click; state saved in NBT).
HUD in the bottom-right corner: compact bar + list (up to 5) with name and ≈distance (doesn’t clutter the UI).
Beep only for the nearest UAV; pitch/interval scale with distance.
Works from inventory: if the detector item is ON anywhere in your inventory, tracking & HUD work.
Superb Warfare support: reads the display name each tick, so when SBW renames a linked drone, the HUD shows the updated name automatically.
Server-controlled radius (authoritative): synced to clients on join and when reloaded.
Client-only customization: volume, pitch range, beep period, HUD list size.
Custom sound (drone_detector:detector_beep) with subtitles.
Extensible target list via a data tag.
Minecraft: 1.20.1
Forge: 47.2.x
(Optional) Superb Warfare (for UAV entities to detect)
Put the mod on both client and server (for MP).
Launch once to generate configs.
(Optional) Add/adjust UAV entity types via the tag (see below).
Server (authoritative gameplay settings)serverconfig/drone_detector-server.toml
[detector]
# Scan radius in meters
range = 64.0
Client (HUD & audio only)config/drone_detector-client.toml
[audio]
onlyNearestBeep = true
beepMinPeriod = 6
beepMaxPeriod = 40
beepVolume = 0.8
beepPitchMinFar = 0.7
beepPitchMaxNear = 1.8
[hud]
enabled = true
listCount = 5
# (HUD is bottom-right by design to keep UI clean)
The mod registers drone_detector:detector_beep.
File layout
assets/drone_detector/sounds.json
assets/drone_detector/sounds/detector_beep.ogg
assets/drone_detector/lang/en_us.json
assets/drone_detector/lang/ru_ru.json
sounds.json
{
"detector_beep": {
"subtitle": "subtitles.drone_detector.detector_beep",
"sounds": [{ "name": "drone_detector:detector_beep", "stream": false }]
}
}
Want to swap the beep without rebuilding? Use a resource pack overriding the same path.
By default the mod targets Superb Warfare drones and anything in the entity type tag below. Extend it with datapacks to include your own entities:
data/drone_detector/tags/entity_types/drone_targets.json
{
"replace": false,
"values": [
"sbw:fpv_drone",
"sbw:swarm_drone",
"superbwarfare:fpv_drone"
]
}
Craft/spawn the UAV Detector item.
Right-click to toggle ON/OFF.
Keep it in hand or anywhere in inventory (if ON) to activate HUD + beeps.
Approach drones: the bar fills as you get closer; the list shows current names and ≈distance.
The server sets the scan radius; clients receive it on login and after server config reloads.
Clients control only HUD & audio.
en_us, ru_ru included (subtitles & item strings).
Designed for Forge 1.20.1.
Works alongside Superb Warfare; recognizes linked drone name changes automatically.
If your custom UAV type isn’t detected, add its entity type to the drone_targets tag.
Excessively large server radius may slightly increase client scanning costs (default is safe)
Author: Liko
Mod ID: drone_detector
License: Apache 2.0
Optional HUD position offset in config (keeping minimal footprint).
Per-entity icons in the list (tiny 16×16).
Keybind to temporarily mute beeps.
Please include: MC version, Forge version, list of mods, logs, and steps to reproduce.