Counter-UAS operations have come a long way from human observers with binoculars scanning the skies for suspicious activity. Driven by the rapid development of unmanned aerial systems, the counter-UAS market continues to thrive and is set to reach $4.7 billion by 2027.
Optical and acoustic sensors, radio frequency (RF) analysers, drone detection radar – there are plenty of tools available to ground teams. The difficulty for many organisations is finding the right combination. This is one of several counter-UAS challenges you must consider carefully before investing in a solution.
Types of Counter-UAS Technology
Counter-UAS technology encompasses a range of solutions. Some detect and classify threats, while others employ various methods to neutralise them.
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Detection: passive sensors that identify, classify, and/or monitor UAS threats. Examples include cameras, microphones, RF analysers, and radar.
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Mitigation: active solutions that neutralise UAS. Mitigation technology includes net guns, RF jammers, GPS spoofers, and cyber takeover systems.
Common Counter-UAS Challenges (and Their Solutions)
1. Accuracy
Most consumer UAS are small, comfortably fitting in the palm of your hand. They’re also extremely fast and agile, with some models capable of reaching speeds of up to 100mph.
Detecting and tracking these nimble machines in real time is beyond the capacity of all but the most advanced radar systems, especially in adverse weather conditions or busy urban environments. Basic cameras and radar systems may also struggle to track multiple targets simultaneously, rendering them ineffective against drone swarms.
Electromagnetic interference from radio towers and power lines can impede other detection solutions, like RF analysers. And because they identify targets by intercepting the unit’s control signal, RF analysers can’t detect hovering or autonomous units.
The solution
State-of-the-art 3D drone radar provides 24/7, 360° coverage and accurate height information to give ground teams full situational awareness. They can track multiple targets simultaneously and use micro-doppler technology to identify hovering and autonomous units.
2. Detection Range
Unmanned aerial systems can approach from any direction. High-end consumer units boast flight ranges of up to 8km. While there are strict height limits on consumer UAS, some models can reach altitudes of almost 20,000 feet – presenting a serious threat to low-flying aircraft.
The sky is literally the limit, but many counter-UAS solutions lack the detection range and 360° coverage to give you a complete picture.
The solution
Systems with long-range tracking (3km minimum) and 360° give you the earliest possible warning of approaching targets. The sooner you know about the threat, the more time you have to create an effective response.
3. Threat Classification
When a potential threat enters your airspace, every second counts. Determining whether an object is a bird, drone, or something else entirely allows you to prepare an appropriate response and minimise false alarms.
All counter-UAS radar systems detect and track small, fast-moving targets to some extent. However, few have the technical capabilities to classify them accurately.
The solution
Counter-UAS radars with micro-doppler capabilities detect moving parts within an object, like rotor blades. This enables them to identify and classify objects, including autonomous units and even fixed-wing drones.
4. Distinguishing Between Authorised and Unauthorised Activity
Not all UAS activity is malicious. Aside from responsible enthusiasts using drones to explore the skies, the technology has numerous commercial uses:
- Filmmaking: shooting scenes from angles that aren’t possible with other types of equipment
- Delivery: transporting packages from distribution centres to recipients
- Events: providing unique perspectives on gigs, sporting contests, and other public events
- Research: tracking the effects of climate change and studying rare or remote species
- Surveillance: securing sensitive government sites or critical infrastructure
Unmanned aerial systems also have military uses. As the second drone age dawns, we’re seeing UAS take centre stage in conflicts around the world.
The increasing prevalence of UAS technology makes it harder for counter-UAS solutions to distinguish between friend and foe. This could cause significant issues. For example, incorrectly designating camera drones as threats during a global sporting event, like the Super Bowl.
The solution
Future counter-UAS solutions will harness remote ID technology, enabling ground teams to instantly tag and identify authorised units. This will help to minimise false alarms and improve incident response times.
5. Deployment speed
Bird and UAS threats can appear suddenly, without warning. If you need to protect a large area or mobile assets, like a military convey, every second counts. It's essential you can deploy counter-UAS solutions fast. However, traditional systems are often bulky and difficult to setup, leaving you vulnerable.
The solution
The latest generation of versatile, lightweight UAS-detection radars deploy in minutes without compromising on accuracy. This gives you early alerts and reliable tracking, when and where you need it.
6. Collateral Damage
RF jammers use radio waves to disrupt the connection between a UAS and its control unit. But this can interfere with and even damage nearby electronic equipment, like a commercial aircraft’s navigation systems.
Kinetic mitigation solutions present their own counter-UAS challenges. For example, net guns bring drones down mid-flight, which could injure people on the ground unlucky enough to find themselves in the unit's path. Similarly, solutions that physically destroy the unit, like high-powered microwave (HPM) devices, create debris that can also prove dangerous.
The solution
Cyber takeover systems allow you to assume control of target systems and guide them to secure locations, minimising the risk of collateral damage.
7. Data Privacy
Counter-UAS solutions capture a lot of data in the course of their duties. Optical sensors record visual data to help locate targets and predict their movements, while systems like RF analysers collect personally identifiable information (PII), like a unit’s registration number, to aid in forensic analysis.
As per the Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018, authorities in the US must ensure they handle any data they collect responsibly and destroy it within 180 days. Other countries don't have specific data protection regulations for counter-UAS operations, which creates potential legal grey areas.
The solution
Implement data access controls, encryption, anonymisation, and other data protection best practices to help counter-UAS teams protect potentially sensitive data where official regulations aren't available.
8. Deployment Restrictions
Regulators have strict rules governing the use of UAS mitigation solutions. For example, only four federal agencies are authorised to deploy countermeasures in the US. These are the:
- Department of Defence
- Department of Energy
- Department of Justice
- Department of Homeland Security
It’s a similar story in other countries, where regulators restrict UAS mitigation technology outside military contexts. Bear this in mind before investing in any solution that claims to neutralise, take control of, or destroy a drone outright.
The solution
Double down on UAS detection systems to give your ground teams the earliest possible warning of approaching threats. This gives them more time to plan a response that works around restrictions on mitigation technology, such as grounding flights or evacuating personnel.
The Role of Radar in Today's Counter-UAS Challenges
There’s no silver bullet to the UAS problem. Every counter-UAS solution has strengths and weaknesses, and experts agree that an integrated approach is the most viable option.
Drone detection radar should sit at the heart of your counter-UAS network. With the best range and accuracy of any sensor, it provides early warning of potential threats. It integrate seamlessly with other technologies, giving a complete picture so you can identify, manage, and mitigate threats.
