A guide to anti-drone systems: Protecting against evil aerial intruders

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming a more common sight in our daily lives. This increase is primarily driven by falling production costs and the expansion of their application range. Currently, drones have found significant use in sectors such as transportation, construction, disaster response and infrastructure inspection. Although their integration into the internal technological processes of businesses is still in its early stages, the potential is vast. The future of drones looks particularly promising in fields like agriculture, healthcare and the management of infrastructure and territories. Additionally, drones are increasingly popular among creative professionals, especially in photography and video production.

While drones offer numerous advantages, they also come with their share of drawbacks. In recent years, many incidents involving drones have led to damage and safety concerns. One significant issue is their potential to interfere with aircraft, posing a risk to aviation safety. Privacy invasion is another concern, as drones can easily breach personal spaces. They are increasingly being used for industrial espionage and in the illicit transport of contraband. Drones can be used for running cyber attacks. For example, a drone can act as a rogue Wi-Fi hotspot, employing social engineering and tricking nearby people into connecting to it.

Security risks posed by drones

The threat of drones being used in terrorist attacks has become a serious concern, too. Critical infrastructure, including oil refineries and other industrial facilities, require heightened security measures. Protecting these facilities from accidental or intentional drone strikes is crucial for the stable functioning of cities and, by extension, entire countries.

To embrace the progress of drone technology while minimizing its risks, it is important to stay updated with the developments in the drone industry and ensure vigilant monitoring and protection of airspace. In this context, anti-drone technologies and systems are becoming indispensable. These systems can detect, identify and neutralize UAVs, greatly reducing the chances of their unauthorized use.

Currently, no single system can offer 100% protection against drones. This is because each location, be it an object or a territory, has unique characteristics like its area size, infrastructure, security policies and specific location nuances. To achieve maximum protection, it may be necessary to employ different configurations of anti-drone systems, each tailored to address these distinct aspects.

Exploring the capabilities of anti-drone systems

An anti-drone system can be helpful in several ways. Its main functions include:

• Detecting UAVs within the surveillance zone around a facility.
• Alerting staff at the site, enabling them to secure production processes, evacuate the premises and notify emergency services.
• Localizing and neutralizing the UAVs.

Let’s consider a scenario where a hostile drone approaches a facility at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour. If it is detected at a distance of one and a half kilometers, the security team would have just three minutes to respond. In such cases, quick evacuation and other measures become crucial to mitigate the attack’s potential impact. Some UAV models are capable of flying at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, which means the reaction time could be as short as one minute.

Besides alerting about an aerial intruder near a protected area, the anti-drone system also records key data such as the UAV’s speed, its direction of movement, flight altitude and the likely type of the drone. Thanks to the analysis of saved data about the UAV, it is possible to assess potential attack directions, select technical means to protect against attacks and provide a detailed analysis of the attack strategy.

How anti-drone systems work

The system’s core is specialized software that coordinates the activities of various hardware sensors. To identify drones, modern systems employ AI/ML, allowing them to recognize even unique or custom-built drone models.

By harnessing both hardware sensors and advanced software, civilian anti-drone systems can detect and accurately categorize drones as small as 10 cm from distances of up to 30 km. This functionality remains robust across different weather conditions and in urban environments. However, it is important to note that factors like buildings, tall trees, landscape variations and other physical obstructions can influence the system’s detection radius.

The system initially spots airborne objects using a mix of audio/video and sensors, supplemented by laser scanning and analysis of radio frequencies and radar signals. The blend of technologies enables the system to function 24/7, regardless of weather conditions. It swiftly detects objects like drones, birds or planes within seconds. Information about the drone’s model, its remote control and the pilot’s location are immediately shown on a user-friendly graphical interface in real-time.

The system can operate proactively, detecting drones the moment they are activated. It incorporates a “friend or foe” mechanism, allowing drones recognized by the system to move freely in the designated airspace. In a threat scenario, the system’s radio signal neutralization feature disrupts the drone’s communication with its control panel. This either compels the drone to return to its launch point or initiates a controlled landing at the location where contact with the operator is lost.

What makes up an anti-drone system?

The UAV protection system includes the following elements:

1. Radar: This component is a sophisticated radio engineering system designed for detecting airborne objects. Its operational principle is based on emitting radio waves from a transmitter, which propagates through the airspace. When these waves encounter an object like a drone, they reflect back to the radar’s receiver. This data is then processed by a computer, which provides precise information about the location and movement of the detected object.
2. RF tracking system: This system is adept at detecting radio waves, whether they are civilian or specialized, within its range. It is particularly effective in identifying the link between a drone and its remote control, and it offers guidance on where this connection is located.
3. Visual recognition module: Guided by the directions provided by the tracking system, this module focuses on the detected airborne object. It is capable of identifying the object and signaling it to land. In scenarios where the drone’s model is not identifiable, the module takes a more aggressive approach by jamming all nearby radio frequencies. This disrupts the drone’s communication, forcing it to land at the point where it loses the signal.

Most anti-drone systems offer customizable options based on client needs. The adaptable software framework enables seamless integration of new sensors into the existing ecosystem. This flexibility allows the system to become a component of a larger, more comprehensive network. For example, it can be incorporated into critical infrastructure video surveillance systems or become a feature of “smart city” initiatives, enhancing overall safety and surveillance capabilities.

The complex can be supplied in three configurations: a stationary version for protecting static objects, a mobile version for outdoor events and remote locations and a software integration option for existing video surveillance equipment.

Demand for anti-drone measures

In the hands of skilled attackers, drones can become a significant threat to tech industries, infrastructure and various SMBs. As unmanned technology advances quickly, the demand for efficient countermeasures is increasingly becoming imperative.

Anti-drone systems are engineered to detect UAVs, alert upon spotting airborne objects and also to neutralize them while maintaining a record of such incidents. By employing such systems, it is possible to safeguard the lives and well-being of personnel, enhance the response speed to aerial threats, prevent attacks or minimize the impact of drone incursions.

When choosing an anti-drone system, it is vital to consider the specific features of the target area. Making a well-informed choice of components is essential to develop a dependable solution that guarantees protection.