DANGEROUS DRONES

FOCUS ON THE REAL RISK

Counter unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) stakeholders face  a wide array of drone types, but not all  pose the same level of threat. Effective counter-drone strategies must prioritize the most prevalent and dangerous platforms — those with extended range, high payload capacity, advanced protocols, and broad accessibility.

Key Drone Categories

• Commercial Long-range, Advance-Protocol Drones: Mid to large-size multirotor or fixed-wing drones from leading manufacturers, capable of long-distance flight, substantial payloads, and high-resolution data transmission. These dominate the global drone threat landscape.
• Do-it-Yourself (DIY) drones: Custom-built from off-the-shelf components, optimized for range, payload, and evasion, and often used  by sophisticated threat actors.
• FPV (First-Person View) Drones: Highly maneuverable and fast, increasingly used for precise, high-speed attacks and targeted payload delivery.
• Fixed Wing Drones: Designed for endurance and long-distance missions, used for surveillance, smuggling, and kinetic attacks.

Threat Specifications & International Classifications

• Payload: 3–30 kg (6.6–66 lbs)
• Range: 2–100 km (1.2–62 mi)
• Classification:
  • US DoD: Group I and II
  • EU/NATO: Class I and II

These specifications represent the drones most frequently used in malicious activities and are the primary focus for advanced counter-UAS strategies.

The Evolving Threat Environment 

Advanced drones—off-the-shelf or custom-built—are widely available, low-cost, and easily deployed for malicious purposes. Their increasing capabilities demand a proactive, intelligence-driven approach to dangerous drone detection and airspace risk mitigation.

6 Primary Drone Threats

Drone threats can be classified as follows:

• Attack: Delivering explosives or hazardous materials
• Collision: Delivering explosives or hazardous materials
• Espionage & Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): Gathering intelligence with advanced sensors
• Harassment and Nuisance: Disrupting operations and safety
• Privacy: Capturing unauthorized imagery or data
• Smuggling: Transporting contraband and bypassing ground security

Staying Ahead

As drone technology and tactics evolve, organizations require a partner that prioritizes the most dangerous threats. D-Fend Solutions addresses the real risk—focusing on drones most likely to cause significant harm to critical infrastructure, public safety, and operational continuity.

D-Fend Solutions employs an intelligence-driven, risk-based approach, combining comprehensive dangerous drone risk analysis, assessment, and prioritization—factoring in prevalence, payload capacity, and flight range. This enables organizations to maintain control, safety, and continuity in today’s dynamic threat environment.

Core Concepts >>