Systems that are used to identify and/or intercept unmanned aircraft are referred to as counter drone management systems, also known as counter-UAS (C-UAS) or anti-drone solutions. Base protection, airport airspace protection, security at big sporting events, VIP protection, and other applications of counter-drone technology have already been widely used in civil settings and war zones. C-UAS systems have frequently been used in India during the national holidays of Republic Day and Independence Day in Delhi. In the paragraphs that follow, several C-UAS system components are explained
The key to effectively neutralizing the UAV danger is early detection and identification, which can be done by a combination of sensors. However, it has become clear through several trials that using sensors in a complementary way might enhance UAV detection. Radar detection algorithms in C-UAS systems are specifically tailored to detect small targets in the presence of false returns such as clutter. In contrast to traditional Air Defence (AD) sensors.
infrared and electro-optical. EO/IR sensors use either a human operator observing the video feed or specifically developed automated algorithms to scan the visible and infrared (thermal) spectrums for drones. Passive thermal imaging reduces background signal noise, improves nighttime identification, and is less susceptible to weather. Degradations than visible imaging, which can discriminate between a UAV, birds, or any other item in the sky.
The majority of drones use a radio link to communicate with the operator on the ground. The position of the drone and operator can be approximated using external features of the data link’s signal. The internals of the data link can be accessed to obtain more specific information. Such as the drone’s precise location and possibly its future course. These sensors are capable of identifying particular noise characteristics produced by UAV motors and propellers. These sensors, however, have a limited field of view, rely on registering acoustic sensors to a database of recognized UAV signatures, and have high nuisance alarm rates (especially in urban environments).
A passive radar system called Passive Coherent Location (PCL) uses external transmitters like mobile phones. FM radios, and television terrestrial broadcasts to detect targets and deliver location, direction, and speed data. The broadcast signal of opportunity and the target interact to produce extremely minute signal changes that are scattered by micro drones and are detectable by a PCL system. Response and neutralization are often defined as denial of mission, including destruction of the UAV target. The possibilities for action can be broadly divided into two categories, “nondestructive” and “destructive,” and include sending the UAV in a different direction, capturing it, or destroying it.
At the moment, Kinetic Kill is the most trusted and preferred method for taking down renegade drones. Depending on the circumstance, possible responses include using sniper rifles to shoot down the target. Anti-aircraft weapons, and missiles, or even sending in fighter aircraft. However, the gunner must possess a high level of knowledge and skill to engage rogue aircraft in this manner.
Weapons with High Electromagnetic Power with high-energy beams focused on the drone to physically burn the drone or a portion of it. HPEMs/Lasers can be utilized for both detections by scanning and neutralization. However, lasers are impacted by unfavorable weather, such as clouds, rain, and fog, and can provide a risk to people. Additionally, it can be challenging to maintain a laser-focused on a fixed position while using a UAV.
Jamming is a considerably safer alternative to kinetic killing. But it is challenging because modern UAVs are specially encrypted to resist these kinds of attacks. This could compel the drone to land itself right away or return to its starting place. Depending on the drone and the flight circumstances.
A hostile drone can be neutralized through GPS spoofing. Which not only eliminates the threat but also allows access to the enemy’s technology for analysis. In this case, the drone is essentially misdirected, causing it to forget its waypoints, and obey new directions.
