Last year, Rafael announced the addition of a close-range laser component capable of neutralizing a drone at a distance of 2.5 km; depending on the customer's choice, the output power varies from 2 to 10 kW. At the maximum distance, the required hold time on the target is about 10 seconds, while the shorter the distance, the less time is needed to hold on to the target. This executive component will be available to customers at the end of 2018. At the end of 2016, Elbit Systems introduced the ReDrone system, available in various configurations: portable, transportable and portable. The Level 1 option is based solely on a passive electromagnetic detection, identification and positioning system. The system with a 360 ° field of view only emits when it is necessary to disrupt the operation of the drone. The Level 2 option, integrated with radar and optoelectronics, increases the range to 3-4 km.
IMI Systems' Red Sky 2 closes the 360 ° sector by continuous rotation. It includes a camera with continuous zoom, an infrared tracker with a horizontal field of view from 2.2 ° to 27 °, operating in the range of 3-5 microns, and a portable X-band radar. The system weighs 30 kg, at the same time it can track up to 100 targets, the detection distance of small UAVs is 6 km. The system is complemented by two jammers, a broadband omnidirectional high-power system with an output power of 400 W and a separate multi-directional jammer capable of detecting and interfering at a distance of 600 meters, as well as a control unit. IMI Systems announced the sale of "several" Red Sky 2 systems to Thailand in December 2017. A month earlier, IAI-Elta announced a $ 39 million contract for its DroneGuard system, which was first shown in February 2016. It is based on three-dimensional radars ELM-2026D, ELM-2026B and ELM-2026BF with different detection ranges, respectively 10, 15 and 20 km. The radar is complemented by optocouplers and special systems of active electronic suppression, which guarantee the disruption of the drone's flight.
Short-range countermeasures
Many companies are engaged in the development and production of short-range anti-drone systems. French ITHPP Alcen, for example, has developed the Drone Sniper, a 1.9kg module that mounts under the barrel of an assault rifle like a grenade launcher. It is capable of jamming GLONASS (L1) signals, Wi-Fi frequencies 2, 4 and 5.8 GHz, the total radiated power is 5 W. The directional antenna guarantees effective jamming at a distance of 500 to 1000 meters, the lithium-ion battery provides an operating time of up to 1.5 hours.
The British company Steel Rock offers its solutions for the NightFighter series. NightFighter Digital uses white noise technology against all targets and features custom-made multi-band helical and flat panel antenna arrays. The jamming device and battery are housed in the back pack, while the directional antenna is attached to the AR-15 rifle using a rail on which the customer can also mount the scope of his choice. The NightFighter Pro system operates on five frequency bands, covering most of the operating frequencies of drones. The output power and directional action for each frequency range can be adjusted separately, the physical dimensions are similar to those of the younger model.
At IDEF 2017, Aselsan unveiled its Ihasavar RF jamming system with 50W RF power output, operating in dual bands 400-3000 MHz and 5700-5900 MHz. The system, equipped with a directional antenna with a high directivity, can operate on a lithium-ion battery for up to an hour and a half. In Turkey itself, about 25 systems were delivered, mainly for military customers, another five systems were supplied to Turkish Airlines to protect the airports of Istanbul Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen to combat drones that can disrupt their work. Aselsan expects the Turkish military to order another 200-500 systems in the coming months after positive feedback from military tests.
As for the export market, at the end of 2017, Aselsan delivered about 50 Ihasavar systems to a customer from the Middle East, who deployed them in its ground forces, while the company expects several more contracts for the supply of about 10-20 systems in 2018. At IDEF 2017, Aselsan also unveiled its Meerkat pocket radio receiver operating in the 20-6000 MHz range, originally intended as a warning device for special forces. Ankara-based company is developing an algorithm capable of detecting and classifying drone radio channels, giving the operator an approximate direction (clockwise) to the desired drone. This will significantly increase the efficiency of the Meerkat system while keeping it portable. Meerkat technical demonstrations have been successfully completed and Aselsan is currently in the certification phase with the expectation that the new system will enter the market by the end of 2018.
Sensors and actuators
Numerous European companies supply sensors or actuators. The French company Cerbair offers mobile and stationary sensor kits, the first of which is installed on a retractable mast, and the second on the infrastructure object itself. Both systems are built on the same modules: the optical sensor DW-OP-01 with a 92 ° field of view and detection distances of 100 meters at night and 150 meters during the day, the DW-RF-01 radio frequency sensor with a 90 ° azimuth field of view, operating in bands 2, 4 and 6, 875 GHz, directional single- or dual-band antennas are also available for the system. The sensors are connected to a computer using Dronewatch software, which detects, tracks and identifies all types of civilian drones.
French company Inpixal has developed the DroneAlarm detection system, which uses optocoupler sensors to alert existing security systems. The German Aaronia offers its Aartos radio frequency system, which includes a three-dimensional Iso-LOG radar, a portable or stationary spectrum analyzer in real time and a special software plug-in for it. Depending on the antenna and analyzer, the range varies from 500 meters to 7 km.
The Danish company MyDefence offers a full range of systems ranging from sensors to actuators. For example, two wearable personal drone approach warning systems are offered: the Wingman 100 for the police and the hardened Wingman 101 for the special forces. Both systems weighing less than 500 grams operate in the 70 MHz-6 GHz band and are equipped with a semi-directional antenna (an omnidirectional antenna is available that provides a circular field of view). Wingman 100 and 101 models differ in power supplies and operating temperatures. Through continuous scanning, the Wingman system can detect communication channels with audible, vibration or visual warnings.
The Watchdog RF system from the same company is suitable for fixed installation. It is capable of detecting signals in the 70 MHz-6 GHz range, the detection distances exceed 2 km in a sector in an azimuth of 60 °; multiple sensors can be networked to improve range and accuracy. The small and lightweight sensor weighing 515 grams can be easily integrated into the vehicle. The larger and heavier Wolfpack sensor weighing 5 kg has the same range, operates at the same frequencies, but covers all 360 ° in azimuth. The Danish company is also developing a portable (deployable by one person) Eagle X-band radar weighing only 23 kg and a detection range of 1.5 km, capable of rotating 360 °. In order to integrate its sensors, MyDefence has developed the Iris warning and control system, which is capable of accepting sensors from other manufacturers through a proprietary software package.
Britain's DroneDefence installed its SkyFence system in 2017 to protect a Guernsey prison. A typical system operating at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz consists of six radio frequency receivers with a 60 ° field of view; it can be connected to control units, which in turn are connected via a local network to the command center. This allows, when a drone is detected, to switch to jamming mode to counter the threat. The company also offers the Dynopis EYOOMP directional jamming device, a 10 kg portable system operating at the same frequencies as SkyFence, which is capable of disrupting video and satellite communications within a radius of up to one kilometer.
The company also developed the Net Gun X1 last frontier protection system, mainly intended for law enforcement. The net launcher throws a 3x3 meter square net at a distance of 5-10 meters or a round net with a radius of 1.5 meters at a distance of 15 meters, creating a protective barrier in the first case or capturing a drone in the second.
British Openworks has developed the Skywall system, based on projectiles launched from a pneumatic installation, which can be loaded with various means, a net (SP10), a parachute net (SP40) and a net with simultaneous electronic suppression (SP80). Two launchers are available: a portable Skywall 100 with a mass of 12 kg, capable of capturing approaching objects flying at a speed of 15 m / s at a minimum distance of 10 meters and a maximum horizontal distance of 120 meters and a height of 100 meters, and an installation mounted on a remotely controlled combat module Skywall 300 with a maximum interception distance of 250 meters and an intercepted object speed of 50 m / s.
Another British company, Rinicom, offers an optical detector for SkyPatriot drones with a detection range of over 1 km. The system with a diameter of 250 mm and a mass of 5 kg includes a 7, 5-13, 5 micron thermal imager with a 150 mm lens and a color optical channel with x30 magnification. According to Rinicom, the detection distances are from 1 to 8 km, the system can simultaneously detect more than 10 drones (with a minimum size of 5 cm) flying at speeds up to 25 m / s.
The Dutch firm Robin Radar Systems, a bird detection radar company (a subsidiary of TNO, the Netherlands Research Organization; its name is derived from the TNO project name: Radar Observation of Bird INtensity - ROBIN), has developed a sensor specifically for detecting drones. The company hopes that the new Elvira system will be reasonably inexpensive compared to military radar modifications. The X-band radar with a continuous frequency modulated signal weighs 82 kg, has a detection range of drones of 3 km, a range of their identification of 1, 1 km, a viewing sector in azimuth of 360 ° and in elevation of 10 ° with a resolution in azimuth of 1 ° and in range 3.2 meters.
The Israeli company Controp, for its part, offers a lightweight infrared Twister scanning system with a 360 ° field of view and a scanning frequency of 1 Hz. The system is carried in two backpacks and can be installed on the ground or any infrastructure facility.
Dutch solution DroneCatcher
The Dutch company Delft Dynamics, with the assistance of the Ministry of Security and the National Police, has developed the DroneCatcher system. The system is based on a multicopter armed with a mechanically ejected compact net. When an object is identified with a ground sensor, the DroneCatcher drone flies in its direction at a maximum speed of 20 m / s; when approaching, the onboard sensors allow the net launcher to lock onto the target. Further, the intruder drone is captured by the net and is carried on a leash by the DroneCatcher itself, and if it is too heavy to carry, it is dropped with a parachute. The system weighs 6 kg, the flight duration is 30 minutes, and the network ejection range is 20 meters.
Around the world
Many anti-drone solutions have been developed around the world. For example, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently issued a request for information on "innovative, flexible, mobile defense layered systems … that could be deployed in the next three to four years and were able to evolve rapidly, keeping up with threats and tactical requirements." In response to this request, numerous applications have been filed. Among them are the Silent Archer system from SRC Inc, which consists of components such as a radar (AM / TPQ-50, AN / TPQ-49, R1400 or Sky Chaser), a REB system (Saber Fury, SRC5986A or others), a direction finder and an optical set.
When equipped with a SkyChaser radar, the system can be used while driving. Among the short-range systems, it is also worth noting the Radio Hill Dronebuster jammer weighing 2.25 kg, the Dronekiller from IXI Technology (photo below), and another portable anti-drone gun from Battelle, DroneDefender, and others.
As for the systems of direct destruction, the company Orbital ATK was noted here, which demonstrated the effectiveness of its programmed air detonation ammunition in neutralizing drones in tactical scenarios. In terms of sensors, Northrop Grumman has developed a Mobile Application for UAS Identification (MAUI) acoustic application that runs on Android cell phones and uses the phone's microphone to detect drones weighing less than 9 kg flying below 400 meters and slower than 185 km / h.
Dedrone has developed the RF-100 passive network sensor to detect radio frequencies and Wi-Fi signals weighing only 3.1 kg. It guarantees passive detection and classification of objects at a distance of up to 1 km. Another RF system, Vector Artemis, monitors frequencies using an automatic spectrum analyzer and Hunter's proprietary algorithm that identifies potential targets. With a mass of 4.5 kg, it has a detection radius of 1 km and an interception range of 800 meters and is capable of intercepting up to five drones simultaneously. The American company CACI International has developed its SkyTraeker passive radio frequency system for drone detection. designed to protect airports, critical infrastructure or major events.
The AscentVision CM202U optoelectronic system includes a mid-wave infrared sensor with x20 optical zoom and a video camera with x20 optical zoom, which guarantees the detection of drones at a distance of almost 5 km during the day and 2 km at night, with identification distances of 1 km and 380 meters, respectively. The system weighs less than 6 kg, the operator can simultaneously track up to 200 static or moving targets.
Australian-based DroneShield offers both mid-range and short-range solutions. DroneSentry is a sensor kit that includes a primary radar sensor, RadarZero (book-sized, first introduced in February 2017) or RadarOne, and / or the RfOne RF system, WideAlert acoustic sensor, DroneHeat thermal imager, or DroneOpt optical system. The kit also includes the DroneCannon electronic jamming system, which disrupts the operation of both radio channels and satellite communications. The system without components is known as the DroneSentinel. The newest anti-drone gun DroneGun Tactical, presented in February 2018, weighs 6, 8 kg. It is capable of jamming radio and satellite signals at frequencies of 433 MHz, 915 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz at distances of up to 1 km. The Mk II variant, consisting of a gun and a knapsack, is capable of jamming only higher frequencies, but at a distance of 2 km.
DroneShield systems are already in use in the Middle East, as well as in one of the NATO countries, where the Mk II variant is used by special forces. The company is engaged in the execution of contracts for many countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Australia, France, South Korea and Spain. In February 2018, the Australian state of Queensland police announced that the DroneGun would be used to guard the facilities of the XXI Commonwealth Games.
China is also emerging as a major player in anti-drone systems. At Milipol 2017, Beijing SZMID introduced the Drone Zoro short-range and medium-range system in Defender-SZ01 Pro and DZ-DG01 Pro variants. NovaSky offers its jamming systems, the portable SC-J1000M and the fixed SC-J1000, as well as a passive radio frequency drone detection and positioning system.
