An anti-drone system developed by three UK companies is scheduled for trials in the United States. The system is expected to clear and secure airspace around airports.
The Federal Aviation Administration plans to source the technology, in an effort to restrict UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) activity around airports. The FAA insists that the popularity of UAVs poses new threats to homeland airspace.
Safe Skies: Keep The Drones at Bay
An FAA senior adviser confirms the need for the anti-UAV system. "Sometimes people fly drones in an unsafe manner," Marke Gibson commented in a BBC report. "Government and industry share responsibility for keeping the skies safe, and we're pleased these three companies have taken on this important challenge."
The anti-UAV Defense System (Auds) was developed by three British corporations: Enterprise Control Systems, Blighter Surveillance Systems and Chess Dynamics. The initiative anticipates the malicious use of drones, through surveillance, smuggling and deployment of toxic chemicals and explosives.
Drones as Pesky Threats to Security
Graham Beall comments on the concern in a Metro report. The managing director of Chess dynamics said the use of drones is now a global issue, also a pressing concern for the military, government and homeland security forces.
Drones used for commercial or personal purposes are also a dangerous nuisance around airports, in the same way birds pose threats to airplanes and airspace. Around 100 drones a month were reported to hover within a five-mile radius of aircrafts last year, the FAA confirmed in a BBC report.
The Auds operates by jamming signals of target drones, disabling or stalling these until the batteries are spent. Thermal imaging cameras detect unwanted drones, allowing operators to decide whether the device is suspicious or dangerously close to aircrafts.
In addition to Auds, the US Army also has weapons able to destroy larger UAVs. Projectiles can be launched and steered to UAVs using ground-based radars. The projectiles are only detonated within close proximity of the UAV.
Auds operators have the option to freeze drones and convince pilots there's something wrong with the device. The Auds also crash UAVs by stalling drones in the air for as long as the battery lasts.
