Drone Technology
“The problem posed to other
forms of aviation is that drone
operations are more
cost-effective than manned
flights and potentially safer”
74 SEPTEMBER 2019 \\ AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM
Shield. The AirGuard system works by creating a 3D
detection and protection ‘bubble’ around the perimeter of
an airport using radar, Radio Frequency Direction
Finding (R/F D/F) and electro-optical tracking. The fully
automated system is able to detect, track and alert
airport operators to any UAVs within the protected area
and can record evidence for future prosecution purposes
if required. The AirShield can protect vulnerable flight
paths up to 10km in and out of an airport, providing air
traffic control with a detection and alert system that
enables rapid decisions to be made, such as diverting
aircraft. Users can trigger responses using
pre-determined protocols that include the use of
jamming where allowed under existing legislation.
David Eldridge, sales director at Chess Dynamics,
says the company’s C-UAV systems can integrate with
existing surveillance and defeat options, such as physical
capture systems. It’s technology has also been tailored for
use in the civil sector – airports are busy and complex
environments compared to military facilities.
“The process of working with London Gatwick in
December has enabled us to develop airport-specific
counter-UAV systems, which meet the specific
requirements of civilian organizations. Chief among
these are automation and integration with existing
systems, thus reducing the resources required to monitor
systems and the potential risk of human error,” he says.
Looking ahead, Eldridge points out that the threat
posed to civilian airports by drones is rising as a result of
the “increasing sophistication and frequency” of drones,
as well as the “hugely advanced and capable systems that
can be purchased for relatively small sums of money”. \\
Once standardized, Bash believes that
these regulations will ensure that drones
pose minimal threat to other aerial
vehicles. “We have taken measures to
ensure the highest levels of safety with
regards to both populations below flight
paths and aerial vehicles above – flying
safely below manned airplanes in a predesignated
airspace,” he adds.
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS
In the defense sector, AUDS (Anti-UAV
Defence System), which was developed by
Chess Dynamics and its partners
Enterprise Control Systems and Blighter
Surveillance, has been used by the US
Army in the Middle East since 2016 and
was also successfully deployed at London
Gatwick Airport in the immediate
aftermath of the sustained drone attack.
The system integrates electronic-scanning
radar target detection, electro-optical (EO)
tracking and directional radio frequency
inhibition capability so that it can
remotely detect, track and classify UAVs
(unmanned aerial vehicles) and provide
military operators with the option to
disrupt their activity.
Building on the expertise gained in
military counter-UAV (C-UAV) systems, as
well as its experience at London Gatwick,
Chess has also developed two Counter-UAV
systems designed specifically for use in
commercial airports - Air Guard and Air
6 // The use of drones for
the inspection of assets is
increasing throughout
industry (Photo: ASG ltd)
7 // Jamming technology
from the defense sector
can be used to prevent
drones from entering
restricted airspace
(Photo: ASG ltd)
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