In a previous blog post, I explained the importance of operational flexibility when handling drone threats in today’s society, given different circumstances. For example, sometimes long-distance coverage is required; in other situations, a covert mobile installation is the best option. As drone threats vary by mission, use case and environment, multiple counter-drone deployment options provide optimized coverage for a wide variety of scenarios, conditions, and terrain types.
These include defining the following:
Mission – What needs to be protected? And for how long does it need to be protected? Is it a temporary event or long-term protection? VIP convoys? Airports? A Mass gathering at an event? Yes, the list of use cases that need to be protected is long, but it is critical to look at each of their needs and requirements to address them properly.
Distance and Time – Take into consideration many factors related to distance and time. Distance and time of detection, the distance and time it takes to mitigate a rogue drone. and the distance and time it will take for the drone to fly to its safe zone after mitigating it.
Environment – Different environments – whether rural, urban, airports, borders, etc. – demand different counter-drone deployment approaches. For example, certain urban and sensitive environments may benefit from high-altitude tactical coverage, while other terrains will require long-distance directional coverage.
Obstacles –It is important to take into consideration potential obstacles when planning your mission. For example, consider trees, antennas, radars, buildings, cranes, etc., in the area which may affect the mission or the drone route.
Preparation – Once the scenario is clear, it is time to start planning equipment installation, protection plan, schedules, operational guidelines, and more.
Route – After detecting and mitigating a rogue drone, it is important to take into consideration a few elements: What’s the most secure landing area for the rogue drone? What’s the safest route?
Zone(s) – Last, it is just as important to continuously engage both single and/or multi-zone protection plans to secure the area from all required directions, and the necessary action when mitigating a rogue drone.
While there is not, indeed, a singular path ahead for confronting rogue drones, with commercial and do-it-yourself drones being increasingly used for nefarious or criminal goals, there is a clear-cut way to minimize the threat imposed by them.
What’s your point of view? What other issues should be taken into consideration when safeguarding our airspace from rogue drones? Let us know – happy to discuss them with you!
Boaz Neeman-Golan, D-Fend Solutions’ Professional Services Team Leader, brings years of experience in developing, maintaining, executing, and delivering technical services and technical material to the company’s customer base. Maintaining a customer-centric approach, Boaz is an expert in managing the technical services team, with in-depth knowledge in the drone arena.
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