Technology in a race: Efficient solutions for drone detection and defence

The boundary between legal and illegal drone operation is clearly defined by law. If regulatory requirements are disregarded and drones are operated without the necessary evidence and authorisations, these are known as uncooperative drones. „These are criminal offences that are consistently prosecuted by the security authorities,“ emphasises Dr Gerald Wissel, CEO of UAV DACH.

Why airspace surveillance is indispensable

According to Stephan Kraschansky, CEO of the high-tech company Aaronia, espionage is currently the biggest threat posed by drones in the area of perimeter protection. „Commercially available drones from manufacturers such as DJI, Parrot and Xiaomi are ideal for spying on critical infrastructure in areas such as transport, energy and telecommunications,“ says Kraschansky. Company and test sites are also frequently the target of such activities.

The economic and security consequences of such attacks can be serious. After all, the loss of sensitive data or intellectual property poses a serious threat. “In addition, drones can sabotage IT and communication systems, for example by using IMSI catchers that intercept or disrupt signals,” emphasises Jochen Geiser, Head of Product Special Security Solutions at security expert Securiton. Such attacks can manipulate networks, block communication channels and significantly impair the coordination of security measures.

The transport of illegal objects such as drugs or weapons is also a growing challenge. Such incidents are increasing, particularly in secure areas such as prisons or restricted zones. The consequences range from economic damage and the destruction of essential facilities to physical dangers and an intensified threat situation.

Armed drones that can transport explosives and chemical or biological substances represent another acute danger. “In the future, the use of drones for terrorist attacks could become increasingly important,” says Stephan Kraschansky. Recent events in the Russian-Ukrainian war have shown how effectively even non-military drones can be used as weapons. “Videos of such missions circulating on social media could also inspire terrorist groups outside of war zones,” he warns, adding: “It is therefore crucial to integrate drone detection and defence quickly and comprehensively into perimeter protection.”

Combined defence measures for maximum efficiency

The many practical advantages of unmanned systems in perimeter defence far outweigh the potential disadvantages of improper or illegal use. Nevertheless, drone defence is becoming increasingly important due to growing threats. The industry is continuously working on innovative solutions to meet these challenges.

Perimeter Protection in Nuremberg has long recognised the importance of this topic and offers exhibitors in the field of drones and other unmanned systems the space in Hall 2 to show the technical, legal and practical options for the use of and defence against drones. Here it will be shown that various technologies should be used to detect drones. “The most reliable drone detection systems usually combine several technologies to ensure high detection accuracy, range and resistance to interference,” explains Gerd Kupferer, Head of Sales Special Security Solutions at Securiton. According to Kupferer, RF cyber systems for the controlled takeover of uncooperative drones, radar, optical systems – especially in combination with infrared sensors – and jammers have proven to be particularly effective: “When these technologies work together, they enable effective and precise monitoring of drones, which is particularly important in security-critical areas.”

However, the downstream evaluation and classification of the recorded signals using special software and AI solutions is also a key component of such systems. “Depending on the intended use and the airspace to be monitored, an individual decision must be made as to what represents the optimum in terms of reliability and cost-benefit calculation,” explains Dr Wissel. A customised combination of sensors promises the greatest possible reliability and detection accuracy. According to Dr Gerald Wissel, the combination of security personnel and unmanned systems also provides a considerable increase in security in this context.

The technical development in this area is like a race between attackers and defenders. “Drones with technologies such as fast frequency hopping or AI-controlled navigation will pose new challenges for defence systems,” says Stephan Kraschansky. Despite the advances in drone technology, there will still be ways of recognising connections to the drone, be it through image transmission or other communication signals.

Challenges due to inconsistent international regulations

Which technology may be used when and how is strictly regulated. However, the legal situation regarding drone defence varies depending on the country and specific context. The strict regulation regarding the use of drone defence technologies is intended to ensure that the measures do not violate the fundamental rights of citizens, such as the right to privacy, or endanger public safety.
“Drone detection is generally permitted for civil infrastructure and companies,” emphasises Stephan Kraschansky. However, active defence measures – such as jamming, spoofing or taking over a drone – generally fall within the remit of the security authorities. 

While the police and military have the appropriate powers to avert danger, in Germany, for example, citizens, companies and private security service providers are not allowed to take direct defence measures or intervene in air traffic once a drone has been detected. “The monopoly on the use of force is in the hands of the state for good reasons,” says Dr Gerald Wissel.

However, the different regulations in the individual countries make it difficult to adapt to the constantly changing and increasing threat situation. “There is still a considerable need for regulation, especially when it comes to defining responsibilities and the efficiency of hazard prevention,” says Stephan Kraschansky, for example. However, he also sees progress: initial pilot projects in which “C-UAS as a Service” is used in cooperation with police units have shown promising approaches. “Nevertheless, there is still a lack of standardised EU-wide legislation, which is urgently needed,” concludes Kraschansky.