Wait, Explain That to Me Again… How Does This C-UAS Technology Work? A Personal D-Fend Journey

September 19, 2022 | Robert Ortman

I am a technology guy. I love all aspects of technology and its innovative capabilities. More than ten years ago, I started working with the US Marine Corps, where I was responsible for the supervision and coordination of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. As a UAV mission commander, I also trained, coached, and led my crew of Air Traffic Control Marines to provide safe and efficient air traffic control.

But that was just the beginning of a beautiful relationship with the whole UAV environment, benefits, challenges, and future trends. About two years ago, I heard about D-Fend Solutions and how its flagship product, EnforceAir, had the capability to take control of drones.

Hold on! How is that possible?

Truth is, the more I heard, the more I learned, and it got better and better:

  • “We do it without jamming.”
  • “We don’t rely on kinetic technology.”
  • “We don’t need line-of-sight.”
  • “We avoid collateral damages, interference, disruption, disturbance…”

And the list goes on. Based on my experience flying UAVs for the Marines and Army Special Forces it seemed like this technology was too good to be true. But it turns out that it is all true – EnforceAir is an advanced technology that is years ahead of other systems.

I don’t know any other solution today that has all the capabilities that D-Fend’s EnforceAir can offer. In addition, the development and advances I’ve already seen since joining the company have been tremendous. It’s been nice to have the best Research, Development, and Engineering team behind me and the users.

As part of my job, I am often out in the field, setting up our equipment and system for evaluation, exercises, or a demonstration, while presenting EnforceAir’s features, deployment options, and benefits. I am focused on talking with our potential customers and partners about their needs, requirements, observations, and fulfillment.

And that’s not all. Engaging with the customers and partners allow us to go even further and discuss what we can do to make our products even better. Because, at the end of the day, the ultimate mission is to protect lives, and safeguard transportation and communications, and make sure continuity prevails despite incidents in which unauthorized or rogue drones are flying nearby.

It is an important mission, and this is the D-Fend commitment: Provide protection from new and emerging threats, in a range of environments. Whenever I meet customers and prospects, I am confident and able to look them in the eyes, and say, YES! We can do that.

Going forward, I expect D-Fend and our teams to not stop or slow down, and make sure we are successful. As drones and UAVs become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, the ability to differentiate between authorized and non-authorized ones is critical. The need for safe detection and mitigation technology, such as that provided by the EnforceAir system, is indispensable to help ensure safe airspace.

Robert is a D-Fend Solutions’ Presales Engineer, providing extensive experience in the fields of unmanned and counter-unmanned aviation, integration, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures development, mission planning, aircraft maintenance and site setup. Robert was a Captain in the US Marine Corps, where he was responsible for the supervision and coordination of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. He is a FAA-Certified Air Traffic Controller and Remote Pilot Operator, with active Department of Defense (DoD) SECRET security clearance. With an MBA degree in Aviation from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Robert is an experienced team leader and operator.

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