Protecting your Airspace using Counter UAS Solutions

Look up "drone attack" on the internet, and you will likely find pages of documented incidents. You may, for example, come across the attacks that occurred earlier this year in Yemen or those carried out by Mexican cartels in the last two years. The reality is that drone attacks are more common than we would like to think.

The last decade has seen significant development in UAV technology. What were once garage projects are now advanced platforms and they’re everywhere. Their commercialization means they’re accessible to the common consumer – and available to those who could use them maliciously.

It is not just the drone attacks that are concerning. There are cases of UAVs interfering with other air traffic, like the incident last year in England, which put pilots and passengers in danger. Finally, there’s the issue of hobbyists trying to film events without permission or spying on restricted areas. These scenarios alone highlight the risks posed by unrestricted UAV use. Failing to account for and mitigate these threats equals a breach of security.

Recognizing this, FLYMOTION provides operators with a range of C-UAV systems. These vary in size and application, each suited for a different mission profile. In this article, we'll take a brief look at two popular C-UAV systems: DJI's AeroScope and Droneshield's Rf Patrol Mk II.

DJI AeroScope

AeroScope, made by DJI, is a stationary counter UAS system that provides users with critical data needed to detect and mitigate a drone threat – either through a mobile platform or stationary installation. A comprehensive platform, AeroScope intercepts UAS communication links to provide information such as:

• UAS Identification
• UAV position
• Home position
• Pilot location
• UAV heading
• Make/model
• Altitude
• Speed

It takes AeroScope about 2 seconds to obtain all of the aircraft data so you have time to mitigate the threat.

The AeroScope Backstage Management System condenses data for quick and accurate decision-making. Information feeds into one central platform – a computer of your choice – and is monitored on an interactive map for optimal situational awareness.

Additionally, it supports a Software Development Kit (SDK), enabling you to integrate the AeroScope System into your workflow. A powerful feature, an SDK transforms AeroScope into an extension of the current system architecture for efficient operations.

AeroScope is primarily a fixed system designed for the continuous protection of large sensitive sites including airports, government buildings, prisons, and critical infrastructures. With an effective range of up to 50 km (31 miles), operators defend against intruding UAVs before they become a problem.

DroneShield Rf Patrol

While AeroScope is a stationary solution, the Rf Patrol by DroneShield puts mobile UAV detection in the hands of public safety and defense operators in the field – literally. The size of a standard walkie-talkie, the Rf Patrol Mk. II passively detects RF emissions from nearby UAVs and controllers.

Utilizing AI and Software Defined Radio (SDR) capabilities, the RF Patrol Mk II has advanced detection and identification protocols. These two protocols provide users with the number and type of aircraft flying within a 4km (2.5 mile) radius. For greater discretion, alerts are configurable in either 'Stealth' or 'Glimpse' modes.

Accompanying the Rf Patrol unit is the Device Manager user interface. This computer software updates the list of UAVs, offloads detection logs, and enables the user to configure detection filters according to the mission profiles.

The Rf Patrol's small size means it's deployable on individuals, in cars, and on aircraft. For example, an Rf Patrol may deploy on the vests of law enforcement officers at a public event. While patrolling, they monitor the airspace for UAVs, activating the necessary protocols once an airborne intruder is detected. Additionally, soldiers on the battlefield can defend themselves from terrorist drone attacks, alerted by the Rf Patrol should an unknown UAV approach.

Conclusion

As you’ve seen, the Aeroscope and Rf Patrol Mk II differ in application and capabilities. The Aeroscope is made for extended deployments at one location. The Rf Patrol, on the other hand, is an individual handheld platform for basic mobile protection. Nevertheless, both equip you to detect and counter increasing UAV threats.

Interested to know what solution is best for your agency or organization? Visit our website or contact a FLYMOTION representative here.