The Importance of Counter-UAS
Counter-UAS systems are an essential part of the airspace security landscape. As uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) have grown in popularity, so have the number of drone incidents. Innovative solutions that detect, track, identify, and mitigate unauthorized or nefarious UAS fill an important security gap in the lower airspace.
As drones become more affordable, widely adopted, regulated, and deployed, organizations and agencies face new security challenges globally in their lower airspace.
Drones can threaten security in a variety of ways, including:
- Surveillance
- Airspace obstruction
- Unauthorised media
- Destructive payloads
U-CAS Drones
As drones become more sophisticated and the barrier to entry lowers, it is important that counter-UAS solutions are effective. Hundreds of commercial, government and military customers around the world trust Dedrone’s comprehensive, counter-drone command and control (CUAS C2) solution to protect against the persistent and escalating threat from drones. By leveraging AI and machine learning (ML), Dedrone is the only solution that provides continuous, autonomous interrogation and verification of drones, only elevating high p-uav targets to the operators attention. Whether on-premise / air-gapped or in the cloud, Dedrone customers can easily detect, track, identify, analyze and mitigate drone threats.
Counter-UAS Capabilities
Counter-UAS systems are used to alert the operator that a drone is in a designated warning zone. These detection systems can be fixed-site or portable, depending on the needs of the operator. They use various detection technologies, including radar, optical and acoustics. See below for detailed descriptions of some of the most important detection technologies used today.
Once a drone is detected, a counter-drone solution may have the capability to track the path of the drone as well as the location of the pilot, providing airspace situational awareness to the operator.
As drones increase in popularity, many organizations have begun to use them in their daily operations. When a counter-uas system identifies a drone signature, the operator can then label a drone as friend or foe, allowing authorized drones to continue functioning without interruption from the C-UAS. The system can also identify the model of the drone, giving security personnel information about the range, speed and payload capabilities of the drone in their airspace.
Drones may be repelled or intercepted using mitigation technologies. Interference signals, for example, might interfere with the drone’s operation. Active countermeasures include jamming devices that attempt to disrupt drone communications, missile interception systems designed to bring down uncrewed aircraft, and high-power lasers capable of temporarily blinding or disabling the drone operators.
Counter-UAS command and control (C2) systems combine all sensor inputs into a single airspace picture to answer two simple questions:
- Is it a drone and if, so, identify the drone?
- Where, exactly is that drone? communications, decision making to detect, identify, plan, direct, and resolve drone threats in the airspace.
This single view of the airspace then enables operators to make quick and effective decisions.
DedroneTracker
Dedrone’s complete airspace security platform, DedroneTracker, provides a complete view of airspace C-UAS activity, including early detection and warning of approaching UAVs. DedroneTracker’s airspace security technology fuses drone detection sensor data into a command-and-control AI-based platform with systems architecture that integrates best of class radio frequency, radar, acoustic and optical sensors for complete airspace situational awareness.
Mobile rapid-deploy counter-UAS systems bring all of the same benefits of a command-and-control system into remote locations quickly. This capability allows counter-UAS operators to quickly deploy an airspace security system to wherever it is needed to mitigate drone threats. Additionally, the mobile system’s ability to rapidly relocate can allow for closer proximity monitoring of critical areas. Mobile counter-UAS systems also allow operators to react to emerging threats as they may occur.
DedronePortable is an all-in-one kit that offers comprehensive drone detection,tracking, and identification capabilities (DTI) in remote locations. In use by multiple militaries, government agencies, and commercial entities around the world, DedronePortable offers Dedrone’s sophisticated ML/AI technology and end-to-end defeat capabilities via a system that can be set up in the field in less than 20 minutes. DedroneTracker’s command and control platform, ruggedized RF-sensor technology, and local networking capability / modular design, allows the kit to be configured to meet a variety of urgent airspace security needs.
DedroneRapidResponse solution offers Dedrone’s AI/ML-powered technology in a mobile platform attached to a tower, anywhere from 30-50’ high, that can be easily towed and manoeuvre on a trailer using an SUV or truck.
Dedrone Conclusion
This overview of modern counter-drone solutions is designed to help organizations the world over to understand the solutions available in today’s environment.
As noted above there are many subtopics of critical importance to this field. We encourage you to click the links to become more educated.
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