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10 Types of Counter Drone Technology To Detect And Stop Drones Today

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    Counter the Drone Threat

    The continued growth of the consumer drone market presents new challenges for the aviation industry. Whether it's a careless amateur pilot or a deliberate attack, the drone threat comes in many shapes and sizes.

    To help you meet these challenges head-on, we've written this overview of the counter drone technology you can buy today. You might also know it as anti-drone or counter-UAS (C-UAS) technology.

    We focus on what’s currently available on the market. So, if you need to implement (or are thinking about implementing) a counter-drone solution, then this is the resource for you.

    Read on for a (mostly) unbiased look at the best counter drone technology, including a helpful breakdown of the pros and cons of each solution. We’ve even provided links to vendors for you. Now that's helpful? 

    By the end of the page, you should have a good idea of what technology you need and what you don’t.

    We’ve split the guide into two categories: Monitoring equipment and countermeasures.

    What is counter drone technology?

    Counter drone technology encompasses a wide range of solutions that allow you to detect, classify, and mitigate drones and unmanned aerial vehicles. This includes everything from camera systems and specialist drone detection radar to net guns and cyber takeover systems.

    Drone Monitoring Equipment

    Drone Monitoring Equipment can be passive (simply looking or listening) or active (sending a signal out and analysing what comes back) and can perform several functions, including:

    • Detection
    • Classification or Identification
    • Locating and Tracking
    • Alerting

    You should be aware that not all equipment performs all the above functionality at the same time. Detection means the technology can detect drones. Detection alone usually isn’t enough though. A radar that detects drones may also detect birds, for example.

    That’s why classification is useful. Technology that classifies drones will usually be able to separate drones from other types of objects - like planes, trains, and automobiles, for example

    One step further is identification. Some equipment can identify a particular model of drone, or even identify the drone’s or controller’s digital fingerprint, like a MAC address for example. This level of identification can be handy for prosecution purposes.

    Being alerted that a drone is present somewhere in the vicinity is already useful. But your situational awareness and ability to deploy countermeasures are greatly enhanced if you know the drone’s (and/or the controller’s) exact location. Some equipment will even allow you to track the drone's location in real-time.

    • There are four main types of drone monitoring equipment:
    • Radio Frequency (RF) Analysers
    • Acoustic Sensors (Microphones)
    • Optical Sensors (Cameras)
    • Radar

    Radio Frequency (RF) Analysers

    RF Analysers consist of one or more antennas to receive radio waves and a processor to analyse the RF spectrum.  They’re used to try to detect radio communication between a drone and its controller.

    Some systems can identify the more common drone makes and models, while others can even identify the MAC addresses of the drone and controller (if the drone uses Wi-Fi for communication). This is especially useful for prosecution purposes – proving that a particular drone and controller were active.

    Some high-end systems can also triangulate the drone and its controller when using multiple radio units spread far apart.

    ProIcon

    Pros:
    Low-cost. Can detect (and sometimes identify) multiple drones and controllers. It's also passive, so you don't need a licence to operate. Some can triangulate drone and controller positions.

    ConIcon

    Cons:
    Doesn’t always locate and track drones. Can’t detect autonomous drones, less effective in crowded RF areas, typically short range. Difficult to detect drones controlled over 5G networks.

    Successful RF identification also depends on libraries that require continuous reverse engineering and updating. Reverse engineering and updating take time, during which UAS with modified protocols go unseen. Subscriptions to library updates can be expensive.

    Vendors Icon

    Vendors:
    Vendors of radio frequency analysers include Rohde & Schwarz, Aaronia, Dedrone, and CERBAIR.

    Optical Sensors (Cameras)

    Optical sensors collect light at a range of wavelengths, including visible and infrared, as well as thermal radiation, to detect drones day and night. Recent advances in optical sensor technology have improved resolution (and thereby range) and processing power, in the form of AI-powered detection, tracking, and classification.

    ProIcon

    Pros:
    Provide visuals on the drone and its (potential) payload, can record images as forensic evidence for use in eventual prosecution.

    ConIcon

    Cons:
    Difficult to use for detection by itself, high false-alarm rates, mostly poor performance in dark, fog, etc.

    Vendors Icon

    Vendors:
    Too many to mention...

    Acoustic Sensors (Microphones)

    Usually a microphone or microphone array (lots of microphones), that detects the sound made by a drone and calculates a direction. More sets of microphone arrays can be used for rough triangulation.

    ProIcon

    Pros:
    Detects all drones within the near field, including those operating autonomously (without (RF-emissions). Detects drones in the ground clutter where other technologies can struggle. Great gap-filler in areas outside line-of-sight of other sensors. Highly mobile and quickly deployable. Completely passive.

    ConIcon

    Cons:
    Doesn’t work as well in noisy environments, very short range (max. 300-500m)

    VendorsIcon

    Vendors:
    Vendors include Squarehead Technologies.

    Radar

    A device that uses radio energy to detect an object. Drone detection radar or counter UAS radar sends out a signal and receives the reflection, measuring direction and distance (position).

    Most radars send their radio signal as a burst, then listen for the ‘echo’. Almost all radars are designed to NOT pick up small targets. They are designed for large object tracking, like passenger aircraft.

     

    ProIcon

    Pro: Long range, constant tracking, highly accurate localisation, can handle hundreds of targets simultaneously, can track all drones regardless of autonomous flight, independent of visual conditions (day, night, fog, etc.)

    ConIcon

    Cons: Detection range depends on drone size. Most don't distinguish birds from drones. Requires a transmission license and frequency checks to prevent interference.

    360-icon

    Vendors: Well, that’d be us then! But...

    ...we should probably point out here that our own Drone Detection Radar, IRIS®, isn't like standard radars.

    For starters, we built IRIS® specifically to track drones. Featuring 360-degree azimuth and 60-degree elevation coverage, IRIS® provides early warning of approaching drones from any direction, in full 3D.

    What makes IRIS® unique is that it's a counter UAS, micro-doppler radar.

    Micro-doppler radar detects speed differences within moving objects. For example, a drone's rotor. This enables IRIS® to distinguish between drones and other small, fast-moving objects, like birds, reducing false alarms. It can even detect autonomous and hovering drones and track multiple targets simultaneously.

    Lightweight and easy to deploy, IRIS® can integrate seamlessly with your existing drone detection systems.

    Drone Countermeasure Equipment

    Countermeasures can be grouped as either:

    • Physically destroying the drone
    • Neutralising the drone
    • Taking control of the drone

    It’s important to note that, although the technology is available, current regulations in most countries forbid the use of any of the following technologies to be used for neutralising drones. Exceptions are sometimes made for military or law enforcement agencies.

    Radio Frequency Jammers

    An RF Jammer is a static, mobile, or handheld device which transmits a large amount of RF energy towards the drone, masking the controller signal. This results in one of four scenarios, depending on the drone:

    1. The drone makes a controlled landing in its current position
    2. The drone returns to its pre-programmed home location (which could be set to a target position instead of home)
    3. The drone falls uncontrolled to the ground
    4. The drone flies off in a random uncontrolled direction
    ProIcon

    Pros:
    Medium cost, non-kinetic neutralisation.

    ConIcon

    Cons:
    Short range. Can affect (and jam) other radio communications. May result in unpredictable drone behaviour and can unintentionally send the drone to its target.

    VendorsIcon

    Vendors:
    TRD and HP Wust provide jamming systems.

    GPS Spoofers

    GPS spoofers send a new signal to the target drone that replaces the communication signal it uses to navigate. In this way, it spoofs the drone into thinking it’s somewhere else.

    By dynamically altering the GPS coordinates in real time, the spoofer can control the drone’s position. Once the spoofer gains control, they can direct the drone to a ‘safe zone’, for example.

    However, GPS spoofers can inadvertently disrupt other systems beyond the target drone. Because of the risks, GPS spoofers are primarily used on the battlefield and aren't as common for civilian operations.

    ProIcon

    Pros:
    Medium cost, non-kinetic neutralisation.

    ConIcon

    Cons:
    Short range, can affect (and jam) other radio communications.

    VendorsIcon

    Vendors:
    Regulus manufactures GPS spoofers specifically for drone defence.

    High Power Microwave (HPM) Devices

    High Power Microwave (HPM) devices generate an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) capable of disrupting electronic devices.

    The EMP interferes with radio links and disrupts or even destroys the electronic circuitry in drones (plus any other electronic device within range) due to the damaging voltage and currents it creates.

    HPM devices may include an antenna to focus the EMP in a certain direction, reducing potential collateral damage.

    ProIcon

    Pros:
    Within range, the drone can be stopped effectively, non-kinetic.

    ConIcon

    Cons:
    High cost, risk of unintentionally disrupting communications or
    destroying other electronic devices in the area, drone effectively switches off instantly falling uncontrolled to the ground.

    VendorsIcon

    Vendors:
    Diehl Defence provides an HPEM solution.

    Nets and Net Guns

    Firing a net at a drone, or otherwise bringing a net into contact with a drone stops the drone by prohibiting the rotor blades. There are three main types:

    • Net Cannon fired from the ground: can be hand-held, shoulder-launched, or turret-mounted. Anywhere from 20m to 300m effectiveness. Can be used with or without a parachute for controlled descent of the captured drone.
    • Net cannon fired from another drone: overcomes the limited range of a net cannon on the ground. Can be difficult to capture another moving drone. Normally used with a parachute for controlled descent of the captured drone.
    • Hanging net deployed from a ‘net drone’. The drone is captured by manoeuvring the friendly net-carrying drone towards the rogue drone. The ‘net drone’ will normally be capable of either carrying the rogue drone to a safe zone or if it is too heavy, can release the captured drone with or without a parachute for controlled descent.
    ProIcon

    Pros:
    Physically captures drone – good for forensics and prosecution, ground-launched net cannons are semi-automatic with high accuracy, drone deployed nets have long range, low risk of collateral damage.

    ConIcon

    Cons:
    As a kinetic solution, it can result in debris (depending on parachute options). Drone-deployed nets can be imprecise and have long reload times, ground-launched nets have a short range. Drone-mounted netguns often struggle to intercept and neutralize hostile drones that fly aggressively or evasively, due to inertia.

    VendorsIcon

    Vendors:
    Fortem Technologies' DroneHunter 700 supports three netgun attachments that enable it to stop drones of almost any size. Additionally,
     OpenWorks Engineering offers both shoulder-mounted and turret-mounted net cannons.

    High-energy lasers

    A high-powered optical device which produces an extremely focused beam of light, or laser beam. The laser defeats the drone by destroying the structure and/or the electronics.

    ProIcon

    Pros:
    Long-range, low-cost-per-kill solution. Physically stops and destroys target drones to neutralise threats
    quickly. Doesn't require physical ammunition, like nets.

    ConIcon

    Cons:
    Large system. Mostly experimental. Risk of collateral damage to other airborne targets and people at ground level, especially to eyes.

    VendorsIcon

    Vendors:
    Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

    Cyber Takeover Systems

    Cyber takeover, or cyber takedown, systems are a relatively new counter-drone technology. They passively detect radio frequency transmissions emitted by drones to identify the drone's serial number and locate the pilot's position using AI. If the operator recognises the drone as a threat, they can send a signal to hack the drone, assume control, and direct it to a safe location.

    ProIcon

    Pros:
    Precise, with a low risk of collateral damage. Lightweight, and can be configured for both static and mobile applications. Automatically captures incident data vital for forensic investigation. Effective against both piloted and autonomous drones.

    ConIcon

    Cons:
    New and largely untested technology. Relies on an up-to-date library of commercial drones, making it less effective against homemade or state-developed drones.

    VendorsIcon

    Vendors:
    D-Fend Solutions' Enforce Air System is one of the market leaders for counter-drone takeover technology.

    Integrating it All Together

    It’s more than likely that the best drone detection solution for you is going to be a mix of the above technologies. Which mix exactly? Well, that’s going to be dependent on your specific use case.

    We work with several integrators all over the world who integrate our radars into modular counter-drone systems, so you don’t have to. This solves the headache of dealing with multiple vendors and means you don’t need to integrate different hardware and software solutions.

    Talking about software; Command & Control (C2) software can make or break your counter-drone system. All the data from those different sensors and technologies need to be collected, processed and displayed in a user-friendly way that makes sense and is actionable.

    So, it pays to make sure you’re getting a scalable, sensor-agnostic, and user-friendly C2 solution with your system.

    Good examples of counter-drone C2 systems are ESG’s ELYSION, Dedrone's DedroneTracker, and Operational Solutions’ FACE.

    C2-systems vary significantly in terms of capability and cost. The complexity of the connected sensors and effectors, the type of threat, and your budget influence whether you require all the bells and whistles or a more basic system. However, drone defence companies are developing industry standards for C-UAS integration, with SAPIENT's out-of-the-box data integration capabilities at the forefront.

    This isn't the whole story, of course. And while data interoperability is a pre-requisite, don't underestimate the importance of other C2-system functions like data fusion, workflow management, and decision support.

    select-icon

    Here’s a small selection of companies offering complete and modular counter-drone systems worldwide.

    Protect your business with counter drone technology

    Find out how our radars can make your operations safer with actionable data. Get in touch today.

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