Counter-UAS News from Around the World
Rotor & Wing: US Senate Panel Approves Counter-Drone Authorities For DHS, Justice Departments
A bill that would give legal authorities to the U.S. departments of Homeland Security and Justice to counter threats posed by malicious drones in limited instances domestically was approved by a Senate panel Wednesday, but there might be jurisdictional disputes that prevent the legislation from getting to the Senate floor as quickly as hoped. The Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018 was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee by voice vote. The committee also adopted voice vote two amendments offered by Sen. Tom Carper to address privacy concerns and help define the threat from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
sUAS News: Securus Technologies AeroDefense systems’ AirWardenTM at Georgia Department of Corrections facility
Securus Technologies, a leading provider of technology-enabled solutions for public safety, law enforcement, investigations, corrections and government payment services has selected AeroDefense systems’ AirWardenTM Radio-Frequency-based drone and pilot detection, location and alert system for deployment at its correctional facility customer sites.
Business Journal News Network: SRC, MINNESOTA ENERGY FIRM WORKING ON DRONE-DETECTION PROGRAM FOR “CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE”
SRC, Inc. has announced a partnership with Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) to deploy drone-detection technology to protect “critical infrastructure.” Under this partnership, SRC and the Minneapolis, Minnesota–based Xcel Energy will collect “actionable” data on the low altitude airspace not only for a “critical” energy center, but also for an airport, railway, inland waterway, sporting arena, and state capital.
Avionics: FAA, DOJ, DHS Add Drone Flight Restrictions to Certain Secure Airspace
At the request of federal security partners, the FAA has been using its existing authority under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 99.7 – “Special Security Instructions” – to address concerns about drone operations over national security sensitive facilities by establishing temporary UAS specific flight restrictions.
Digital Trends: This net-blasting security drone can stay airborne forever. Here’s how.
The popularity of hobby drones has led to an uptick in flights in restricted areas such as airports, prisons, and even government facilities. It’s a headache for those responsible for the security of such places, though a growing number of startups have been developing technology aimed at keeping these locations free from the unauthorized flight incursions. Dutch firm Delft Dynamics, for example, has been working on its DroneCatcher quadcopter for several years, launching its first model in 2017.
Washington Post: Illicit drone flights surge along U.S.-Mexico border as smugglers hunt for soft spots
Smugglers are using video cameras and small drones to spot vulnerabilities along the U.S.-Mexico border, and the Department of Homeland Security is struggling to stop them. Reports of unmanned aircraft flying along the southwestern border have spiked in recent months, with more than three dozen sightings since October, when the fiscal year began. That data point is on a course to quadruple from the previous year, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where officials say they are concerned that criminal groups are using the aircraft for surveillance while seeking paths to traffic drugs and other illicit material into the United States.
ITAR/TASS: Anti-drone radar shield protects Russia’s major cities — Aerospace Forces
A radar shield to detect low-flying targets, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has been put into operation above all major Russian cities, a senior Russian military official has told TASS. “At present, we have a low-altitude radar field in operation above all major Russian cities,” said Maj. Gen. Andrei Koban, the commander of the Radio-Technical Troops of the Russian Aerospace Forces. “We are focused on re-arming the troops with advanced systems and automated control equipment, [with] systems that can control the airspace in the automated mode,” he said. “This goal has already been reached in the Moscow zone.” Another priority area is creating a radar network to control airspace in Russia’s Arctic zone, Koban added.
sUAS News: Team Dedrone Wins First Prize at ‘Game of Drones’ Competition
Dedrone, the market and technology leader in airspace security, announced that its team of Echodyne Corporation, Squarehead Technologies and Battelle, won first place at ThunderDrone’s “Game of Drones” outdoor demonstration at Nellis Air Force Base and AFWERX enclave, June 18-20. Hosted by AFWERX, Team Dedrone bested five other teams in the last of three ThunderDrone rapid prototyping events focusing on countering small, unmanned aerial drones. Team Dedrone successfully demonstrated the capabilities of a layered detection, tracking, classification and mitigation solution that defends protected airspace against aerial drone threats. Initially, 93 counter-drone technology companies formed teams and were narrowed down through a series of three rapid prototyping events.
The Moscow Times: Moscow Police Arrest Drone-Flying Australian
Police in Moscow have reportedly detained an Australian football fan for flying a drone in violation of World Cup regulations. Russia has restricted drone use as part of its efforts to hold a safe and secure football tournament, now underway in 11 cities. Recent reports said the Russian military planned to deploy anti-drone units to protect World Cup venues from potential attacks during the month-long games.
New York News Channel 5: Drones Endanger Other Aircraft, But Finding Culprit Pilots Is Tricky
Wayward drones keep showing up over public events, crashing near government buildings and shutting down wildland firefighting. And so few drones are registered with the government that when one does something dangerous, it’s nearly impossible to find the pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration wants to change that. It currently gets more than 1,000 reports every year of dangerous drone activity but has only been able to pursue 74 cases to date. To raise that number, the agency is pushing for better tools to learn who’s flying that drone. It’s possible to track a drone operator’s location based on signals coming from the drone and the controller. The FAA has hired contractors to install special equipment around airports that can figure out where to find the pilot.
Haaretz: Israeli Army Fires Patriot Missile at Drone Approaching From Syria
The Israeli army fired a Patriot missile at an unmanned aerial vehicle that approached Israel from Syria on Sunday. As a result of the launch, the drone moved away from the border. The army said it could not verify whether the target was hit. “We will not allow violation of our aerial sovereignty,” the military said in a statement. A commander in the regional alliance backing Syrian President Bashar Assad said the drone was engaged in operations in southern Syria when it was targeted by an Israeli anti-aircraft missile.
Abacus News: Flock of birdlike drones on mission to spy across China
The next time you look up at the sky and at a bird, it might be looking right back at you — because China is using an advanced fleet of drones for surveillance that look just like birds. The Chinese government is operating a program, code-named “Dove”, which has deployed birdlike drones to spy over at least five provinces in the country, according to a South China Morning Post report on Sunday. The drones can flap their wings like a bird to fly climb, dive and turn in the air, replicating about 90% of the movements of a real dove, according to a member of the program.