Dubai. Unauthorised and dangerous drone use is an ever-present threat in the Middle East and around the world. Cheap to buy, easy to fly, in the wrong hands these aircraft can wreak havoc. Unauthorised drones above or near an airport can endanger airliners and cause flight cancellations. Drones can deliver contraband over prison walls and border fences. They can even become makeshift missiles delivering explosives.
Although small and difficult to detect, Elettronica can help protect against drones. The company has developed its Anti-Drone Interception Acquisition Neutralisation counter-drone system. Better known as ADRIAN, it is one of the most advanced and cost-effective counter-drone systems available. ADRIAN can be used to detect and intercept drones and can be deployed on a vehicle or at a fixed location.
ADRIAN’s architecture combines radar, optronics, acoustic sensors and an Electronic Support Measure (ESM). The drone can be detected electronically using ADRIAN’s ESM and radar. Acoustic sensors will detect the sound of the drone’s engines and optronics will visually detect the aircraft. ADRIAN fuses all this information together. During this process it determines the type of drone and its location which is clearly presented to the operator. Elettronica incorporated four different sensors in ADRIAN so that a drone could be detected if one or more of the sensors had difficulty detecting the aircraft. For example, a loud environment may drown out the drone’s engines. Bad weather may make it difficult to see. Should this happen, the radar and ESM can still detect the aircraft.
Once the drone is detected ADRIAN can use its Electronic Countermeasure (ECM) to intercept the Radio Frequency (RF) signals the drone uses to connect with its pilot on the ground. ADRAIN’s ECM can also interrupt the satellite signals the drone uses for navigation. By jamming these links the drone will be forced to either land or return to its launch point. Another useful aspect of ADRIAN is that it can discern where the drone pilot is located. This information can be shared with police and law enforcement.
All aspects of a drone detection and interception can be recorded by ADRIAN for later analysis. ADRIAN is easy to use and ITAR free.
To find out more visit Elettronica at Stand 1730 during the Dubai Air Show.
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