Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) represent a significant risk to airport safety. Even the smallest units can compromise safety, damage aircraft, and disrupt international travel costing airlines millions.
UAS can wreak havoc, but they are also used for positive purposes, such as by the emergency services and for infrastructure projects. Some airports use them to inspect runways, manage logistics, and more.
However, airport operators are acutely aware of the disruptions drones can cause. 2.3 billion passengers passed through Europe’s airports in 2023, so even a single incident can be significant. UAS can delay and even halt flights altogether, and 43% of the public reported they’re concerned by the travel disruption caused by drones.
Let's explore how airports use drone detection radar and counter-UAS systems to protect their airspace.
What is Airspace at an Airport?
Airspace at an airport is the portion of atmosphere controlled by defined dimensions. With dedicated tower controllers, air traffic control maintains lead authority over the airspace. Airport control can also act in an advisory manner for the uncontrolled area surrounding the airport.
Airspace classification by distance and sea level will vary from country to country. It can also vary by size, scale of impact, and complexity. For example, military airspace will have more restrictions and limitations than an airport due to the sensitivity of its operations.
What is Counter-UAS for Airports?
Counter-UAS is a term for technology that detects, classifies, or mitigates drones and other unmanned aerial systems.
Counter-UAS solutions fall into two categories:
- Detection: things that detect and track drones (cameras, acoustic sensors, radar, radio frequency analysers)
- Mitigation: things that stop the threat (net guns, cyber takeover systems, HPMs)
Airports can use counter-UAS to monitor and intercept drones and other UAS before they become a risk to the airport environment. This will help prevent delays and shutdowns that have costly consequences. For example, Gatwick Airport in the UK was shutdown for 36 hours due to drones flying dangerously close to restricted airspace. It's estimated this disruption cost the airport over £50 million in lost revenue.
Why Airports Use Counter-UAS
You need complete situational awareness to minimise drone threats at your airport. This helps ground teams know what's going on so they can deal with any issues quickly.
To manage drone detection in civil aviation, you need to:
- Spot drones accurately over an extensive area, tracking distance and altitude
- Detect and monitor potential threats immediately, with contextual information
- Track multiple fast-moving targets simultaneously
- Identify autonomous or fixed-wing drones
- Distinguish between drones and birds
You can deploy counter-UAS solutions in your airport, in specific places, to provide maximum security and visibility of your airspace. Some solutions are portable, making them easy to deploy and move around exactly when and where needed. Having a system in place prevents delays, unhappy travellers, and bad press associated with incidents.
3 Examples of Counter-UAS in Airports
Here are a few examples of airports adopting counter-UAS technology and their reasons why.
1. Anti-drone Technology at Dublin Airport, Ireland
In the first eight weeks of 2023, Dublin Airport was closed six times due to illegal drone activity. Authorities suspended flights for 30 minutes at one point, causing some to be diverted. The airport now uses anti-drone equipment, such as detection and jammer solutions, to mitigate the threat.
2. Anti-drone Systems for Heathrow Airport, UK
London Heathrow Airport has implemented a counter-UAS system to prevent drones from accessing its airspace, following numerous attempts that threatened the UK’s busiest travel hub. Heathrow's Director of Security said the technology is essential to ensure the safety and security of passengers and colleagues.
3. Counter-UAS at Gimpo International Airport, South Korea
The drone threat has plagued Gimpo International Airport, just West of Seoul, South Korea. In response, they secured an order worth two billion won ($1.5 million) to install drone detection technology at the airport. This follows other instances of drone sightings across the country, which the government is rapidly responding to.
Keeping Airports Safe with Counter-UAS
Not all airport radar can detect drones to the level needed to maintain airspace security. That's why counter-UAS technology is an important investment. It provides a combination of solutions to proactively mitigate the drone threat, rather than relying on one solution alone.
