Counter UAS (CUAS) brings new problems

As the drone industry is taking off, some individuals and groups have started using drones for malicious purposes around the globe. Many companies are watching the trend and are trying to get into the counter drone industry. They have introduced all sorts of drone guns, anti-UAS shotgun shells, attack birds, net cannons, lasers, missiles, radio signal jammers, radio spoofers, etc.

Types of Counter Drone Technology

The counter drone technology is getting lumped all into one bucket but I think it is best broken up into two categories: (1) detectors and (2) defenders.  Keep in mind that these terms are my own.

Some of what has been talked about as counter drone technology are not really counter technology but are just drone detectors. The systems can’t really do anything to STOP the drone, just tell you where the drone is and maybe the operator. Hopefully, police can locate the drone operator and get him to land the drone before anything happens.

Detectors:

• Radar
• Radio wave receivers
• Audio sensors to “hear”
• Optical sensors to see

These aren’t really a problem legally. The next category is where things get legally complicated fast.

Defenders:

• Jammers
• Spoofers (for GPS signals)
• Hackers
• Destroyers
  • Lasers
  • Electromagnetic Pulse
  • High Energy Microwave
  • Irritated Property Owners with Shotguns
• Snaggers (a net carried under a drone, shot from an air cannon, or bolo/net shotgun shell projectile.)
• Attack Birds such as Eagles. – I’m sure PETA will love this one.
• Random Stuff: Spears, T-Shirts, Baseballs, Soccer Balls
  • Russian Spear Thrower (My personal favorite because he can protect you from ground and air attacks. 2 for 1 deal!)
  • Baseballs
  • Soccer Ball

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