The Invisible Shield: The Race to Build Effective Counter-Drone Systems

For every new drone, there must be a counter-drone. The rise of cheap, numerous, and lethal drones has created an urgent need for effective counter-UAS (C-UAS) systems. This SITREP examines the state-of-the-art in drone detection and mitigation, from sophisticated radar and RF detection systems to kinetic effectors like high-powered lasers and, ironically, other drones.

The drone has become the new IED, the new weapon of the weak against the strong. It is cheap, it is easy to use, and it is surprisingly effective. For every new drone that takes to the sky, there must be a counter-drone. The race to build an effective counter-UAS (C-UAS) system is one of the most urgent and important challenges facing the defense industry today. This is a race we cannot afford to lose.

The first step in countering a drone is detecting it. This is not as easy as it sounds. A small, plastic drone has a tiny radar cross-section, and it can be very difficult to distinguish from a bird or other clutter. This is why we need a multi-layered approach to detection, one that combines sophisticated radar, acoustic sensors, and radio frequency (RF) scanners. By fusing the data from these different sensors, we can create a more complete and accurate picture of the airspace, and we can dramatically increase our chances of detecting a hostile drone.

Once we have detected a drone, we need to neutralize it. This can be done in a number of ways. We can use a kinetic effector, like a high-powered laser or a conventional firearm, to physically destroy the drone. This is a simple and effective approach, but it is not always practical, especially in a crowded, urban environment. We can also use an electronic warfare system to jam the drone's control link, or to spoof its GPS signal. This is a less destructive approach, but it can be very effective at neutralizing the threat.

But perhaps the most elegant solution is to use a drone to kill a drone. We are developing a new generation of 'interceptor' drones that are designed to hunt down and destroy other drones. These drones are fast, they are maneuverable, and they are equipped with a variety of sensors and weapons. They are the new air superiority fighters of the 21st century.

The future of C-UAS is a layered, integrated system-of-systems approach. It is a combination of advanced sensors, kinetic and non-kinetic effectors, and intelligent, AI-powered command and control. It is an invisible shield that will protect our soldiers, our bases, and our homeland from the growing threat of hostile drones.