There’s no denying that drones have projected their perks in numerous fields. From aerial photography to package delivery, UAVs are everywhere. However, their accessibility and ease of use have also led to a surge in rogue drone activities near critical infrastructures like airports. In fact, there have been incidents of drones causing flight delays and even near-misses with commercial aircraft that have raised alarm bells within the aviation industry.
For instance, did you know, that in December 2018, Gatwick Airport in the UK was shut down for 36 hours due to drone sightings, affecting over 140,000 passengers? The need for integrated anti-drone systems is substantial now, and today we are going to talk about how airports are using integrated anti-UAV systems to fortify their aerial security measures.
Legal and Safety Concerns
The use of drones near airports doesn’t just breach airspace regulations; it also presents safety and security risks. In fact, unauthorized drones can interfere with aircraft operations and risk collisions, and UAVs can also be used for illicit purposes by perpetrators, such as conducting surveillance or smuggling contraband, which necessitates a robust response from airport authorities.
Implementations and Case Studies
· Heathrow Airport, London
Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world, has implemented an advanced anti-drone system that integrates radar, RF detection, and optical sensors. This system provides comprehensive coverage of the airport’s airspace. During the system's trial phase, multiple unauthorized drone activities were successfully detected and neutralized without causing disruptions to airport operations.
· Changi Airport, Singapore
Changi Airport employs a multi-layered anti-drone strategy combining RF jammers, AI-driven identification systems, and drone interceptors. The system is part of Changi’s broader commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced security and operational efficiency. Since its implementation, Changi has reported a significant reduction in unauthorized drone incidents.
Source: https://time.com/6265108/drone-trd-singapore-unmanned-aerial-vehicle/
Detection Technologies
Anti-drone systems use different anti-drone technologies to counter and detect unauthorized drones. Some of them are listed as follows:
· Radar Systems: Traditional radar systems are adapted to detect small, low-flying drones. These systems can cover vast areas and provide real-time tracking.
· Radio Frequency (RF) Detection: RF detectors identify the communication signals between a drone and its controller. This method is effective for detecting drones even before they enter the vicinity of an airport.
· Optical Detection: The next thing to help in drone detection is optical measures like cameras. They can spot drones and help security personnel to tack the drone movements and trajectories, and record in real time for further analysis.
After drones are detected, security personnel can classify them to assess the threat levels, and this helps them distinguish between harmless hobbyist drones and potential threats.
Conclusion
Government authorities are security personnel must collaborate and use the right airport anti-drone detection radar technology or other detection technologies to keep rogue drones at bay and secure aerial premises from drone attacks. However, selecting the right technology and training security personnel is also crucial to ensure the drone detection and identification technology is being used properly without any hiccups.