The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ramped up its enforcement of drone safety violations, proposing over $341,000 in civil fines between October 2022 and June 2024. This tougher stance sends a clear message: drone safety violations are taken seriously. 

This article explores the changing regulatory landscape, highlights notable enforcement incidents, and discusses the implications for drone operators, the public, and the future of the industry.

Evolving Regulatory Landscape

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which became Public Law No. 118-63 on May 16, 2024, significantly raises the stakes for drone operators, bringing stricter penalties and highlighting the FAAs commitment to aviation safety:

• Substantial Fines: Maximum penalties per violation have increased to $75,000.
• Pilot Certificate Consequences: In addition to financial penalties, the FAA can now suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates for non-compliance.
• Accountability: FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker’s statement underscores this shift: “Violating the drone regulations puts lives at risk in the air and on the ground. Flying a small drone means you are flying an aircraft, and unsafe behavior will cost you.”

Notable Drone Incidents in Enforcement

The FAA’s recent enforcement actions spotlight a concerning trend of increasing drone incidents, with serious safety implications:

• Interference with Law Enforcement: In Wesley Chapel, Florida, a drone operator faces a proposed fine of $32,700 for disrupting a sheriff’s helicopter engaged in a burglary suspect search on September 22, 2021. (Key violations: night operation, unregistered drone, altitude violation.)

• Security Breaches at Major Events:
  • Miami Grand Prix Formula, FL 1: An unregistered drone was detected in restricted airspace, leading to an $18,200 fine. The May 7, 2022, incident posed risks to aircraft, spectators, and participants. (Key violations: Unregistered drone, airspace violation, lack of certification.)

• • Super Bowl LVI, CA: Two drone operators were fined a total of $20,000 for violating airspace restrictions near SoFi Stadium, potentially disrupting the game and endangering attendees on February 13, 2022. (Key violations: Unregistered drone, airspace violation, lack of certification.)

• • NFL Game at Paycor (previously known as Paul Brown) Stadium, OH: A $7,760 fine was proposed for operating an unregistered drone within the stadium during a game on January 15, 2022. (Key violations: Night operation, temporary flight restriction (TFR) violation, lack of certification.)
• Collision Hazards: A drone operator in Little Rock, Arkansas, was fined $5,000 for creating a collision hazard with a helicopter on July 30, 2022. Key violations: Proximity to manned aircraft, lack of certification.

Implications for Drone Operators and the Public

This enforcement surge has far-reaching consequences:

1. Operational Compliance: Drone operators must prioritize adherence to FAA regulations to avoid costly penalties and certificate suspensions.
2. Technology Integration: The industry may see accelerated development of compliance-assisting technologies, like geofencing and remote ID systems.
3. Insurance Considerations: Drone liability insurance may become more complex and potentially more expensive, reflecting the increased risks and penalties associated with violations.
4. Public Perception: Stricter enforcement may shift public perception, leading to higher expectations of safety and reliability in drone operations.

The Role of  C-UAS Technology in Mitigating Drone Threats

To manage the risks posed by rogue drones and prevent drone incidents at major events, public safety agencies must implement effective counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) solutions. When authorized and compliant with regulations, these systems offer:

• Early Detection: C-UAS systems can identify drones from a distance, enabling swift responses.
• Locate, Track, and Identify: These systems can accurately locate and track the drone, its home, and pilot locations, while accurately identifying the drone and distinguishing between authorized and unauthorized devices.
• Controlled Mitigation: Non-disruptive methods can be employed to neutralize unauthorized drones without harming people or property.
• Proactive Security: Deploying C-UAS systems enhances event security, deterring potential threats and boosting public confidence.

A Call for Responsible Drone Operation Amid Rising Drone Incidents:

Recent FAA enforcement actions highlight the need for drone operators to comply with regulations, especially in light of increasing drone incidents. Staying informed, prioritizing safety, and adopting responsible practices will unlock the full potential of drone technology while minimizing risks to public safety. 

As the drone industry continues to expand, it’s imperative to balance innovation with safety. With drone operators adhering to established regulations and public safety organizations integrating counter-drone technologies, the drone industry can continue to evolve positively while safeguarding public safety and minimizing future drone incidents.

Drones, with their rapidly advancing design and functionality, could potentially become the weapon of choice for terrorists seeking to conduct targeted attacks with minimal personal risk. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be easily acquired and modified for malicious purposes, offering an unprecedented level of accessibility and anonymity.

As drones grow more sophisticated, more accessible, and less expensive, their capacity for high-impact attacks increases, and there is an urgent need for robust anti-drone protection measures to advance airspace security.

This article explores the challenges related to drone technology’s use for terrorism and the development of countermeasures and regulations to mitigate risks.

Technological Evolution of Drones for Terrorism

Since their initial use in warfare, drones have become the “Poor Mans Air Force” as they are consistently evolving and coupled with 3D printing to provide the capacity to carry diverse types of dangerous payloads, significantly heightening their threat level. Their affordability, along with the availability of open-source software and instructional content online, enables even financially constrained groups to utilize these technologies, expanding the reach and impact of drone terrorism.

Additionally, advancements in drone range, speed, and payload capacities, have enhanced attack lethality. The integration of AI into drone operations poses further risks, facilitating precision attacks and potentially aiding in cyber-attacks.

Multifaceted Drone Terrorism Tactics

Drones’ capacity for anonymity and minimizing direct engagement makes them highly attractive for malicious purposes:

Intelligence Gathering

Terrorists exploit drones to gather intelligence on critical infrastructures, troop movements, and civilian gatherings, all while avoiding the risk of direct exposure. This intelligence is vital for planning strategic attacks and evading law enforcement detection. As illustrated in the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) drones were used in planning and carrying out the initial attacks.
This is more so prevalent over harbors and airfields where nefarious drone operators can now monitor the status of ships and aircraft line status, all from ranges outside of the protective zones imposed by fence lines around these secure facilities.
Drones have been observed being used by hostile actors to identify and track workers and supervisors at various sites around the globe. By flying near sensitive facilities, they can obtain information with impunity, allowing them to further exploit potential vulnerabilities.

Direct Attacks

Drones armed with explosives or other harmful agents allow terrorists to target strategic locations remotely, bypassing conventional security measures. These attacks can be swift and potentially unexpected, complicating national defense strategies. Furthermore, terrorists have the capability to utilize multiple drones, and from unexpected locations, evading traditional air defenses. Techniques like swarm drone strikes are particularly disruptive as they can overwhelm air defense systems, facilitating subsequent attacks and significantly elevating the security challenge.

Not all drones need to be fully weaponized to have this impact. The use of agricultural drones, flying over a crowd, dispersing an ostensibly harmless inert product (baby powder, for example), could cause panic that could have a significant impact on hundreds or thousands of people.

Across the globe, nefarious operators are using drones to hamper the efforts of police and public safety officials. In several instances, drones operated by malicious operators at protests have been recorded attempting to attack police drones with their own drones and to track police and public safety official’s movements. The intent is clear – force the police drones to either crash (obtaining a media headline of “Police Drone Crashes – Injures Five”) or to leave the scene, thereby allowing the protestors to operate with impunity.

Psychological Distress

Furthermore, the psychological impact of drones significantly contributes to their effectiveness as terror tools. The uncertainty and potential invisibility of drone attacks create a pervasive atmosphere of fear and helplessness among civilians. This psychological distress is a strategic tool for terrorists, aiming to disrupt everyday life and create an environment of continuous fear, which can be as debilitating as physical attacks. The unpredictable nature of drone threats forces governments and security forces to remain on high alert, thus straining resources and diverting attention from other security needs.

The Global Landscape of Drone Terrorism

The use of drones in terrorism and warfare has surged, posing new challenges for global security and forcing countries to adapt to this emerging threat with drones potentially used as a potent addition to large-scale terrorist strategies.

There are many incidents that highlight the significant role drone technology plays in modern conflict and terrorism. All of them underscore the urgent need for advanced defensive measures and a unified international cooperation and law enforcement anti-drone protection strategy to counteract these threats effectively.

Anti-Drone Protection Strategies

A variety of approaches and technologies have been developed to address the complex challenges posed by malicious drone activities. These strategies are essential for safeguarding against sophisticated threats in the evolving landscape of drone use.

Emerging Technologies

The rapid evolution of drone technology has necessitated the development of sophisticated anti-drone systems. EnforceAir2 by D-Fend Solutions represents a leap forward in emerging technologies for counterterrorism, offering a sophisticated RF cyber-takeover solution that addresses the multifaceted challenges posed by DIY and commercially available drones used for hostile purposes.

A significant advantage of EnforceAir2 is its non-jamming, non-kinetic technology, which can operate beyond line-of-sight. This approach avoids collateral damage, disruption, and disturbance, preserving communications and operational continuity. Such features are critical in sensitive environments where maintaining the integrity of surrounding operations is paramount.

EnforceAir2’s technology is designed to provide end-to-end detection and mitigation, providing situational awareness, securing operational continuity, and contributing to safe, controlled outcomes. The system detects, locates, and identifies hostile drones in protected airspace. It then neutralizes the threat by taking control of the drone and safely landing it in a predefined zone. Furthermore, EnforceAir2, with its advanced technology, can identify the location of the drone operator, allowing for ground assets to deal with the operator, while the EnforceAir2 system contends with the drone.

International Collaboration for Anti-Drone Protection

Given the transboundary nature of drone operations and the potential for cross-border security threats, international cooperation is crucial. Collaborative efforts can lead to the sharing of best practices, joint deployment of counter-UAV technologies, and synchronization of operational frameworks to effectively manage the global drone landscape. Key stakeholders from government agencies, technology and solution provider companies, and academia should collaborate to address these challenges comprehensively.

In the meantime, D-Fend Solutions continues to track real-world drone incidents, participates in numerous industry events, and develops next-gen airspace protection management to address this serious issue.

Weaponized drones may dominate war zone headlines, but a different aerial threat looms over the American homeland. The increasing availability of cheap, commercially available drones has introduced fresh challenges for the US military in domestic non-conflict zones, traditionally considered safer environments. These sites now face unforeseen dangers as unauthorized drone incidents become increasingly frequent and concerning.

In this context, understanding the multifaceted impact of unauthorized drone activity is crucial, specifically the broader implications for operational security, privacy, and the military’s ability to maintain vigilance in an era of rapidly advancing technology.

Recent Drone Incidents Highlight a Growing Threat

The increasing frequency of unauthorized drone incidents at domestic US bases paints a concerning picture for the US military. In February 2024, Air Force jets were forced to take evasive maneuvers to avoid colliding with drones flying in restricted airspace over the Arizona desert (see [Image source for Arizona drone incident]). This incident, fortunately without casualties, highlights the potential danger posed by unauthorized drones to both military aircraft and personnel.

The seriousness of this threat was further emphasized by a January 2023 incident where an F-16 fighter jet collided with a drone in restricted airspace over the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona. Thankfully, again no injuries were reported, however, the collision inflicted damage on the military aircraft, necessitating repairs and temporarily sidelining the jet from service. This incident not only highlights the physical risks to military assets and personnel but also points to the potential financial and operational consequences of such collisions.

These are not isolated incidents. Throughout 2022 and 2023, Air Force pilots reported multiple near misses with drones in various locations across the Arizona desert. These occurrences demonstrate the widespread nature of the problem and emphasize the potential for even more serious accidents if left unaddressed.

The repeated near misses and the incidents of actual collisions underscore the potential for even more grave accidents if proactive measures are not implemented.

Experts’ Concerns

Amidst the escalating challenges posed by unauthorized drones, there is a rising unease among defense experts.

A 2022 report by the Director of National Intelligence highlighted the risk from unidentified drones that have been spotted in restricted or sensitive airspace. Such drone incidents raise concerns about potential safety hazards and espionage activities.

Echoing this concern, a 2021 article in Air Force Times quotes a four-star general stating that the proliferation of small, cheap drones is the “most concerning tactical development” for the military since the rise of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq. This highlights the seriousness with which the military views the drone threat.

The Impact of Drone Incidents

These incidents of drone activity have a complex and multi-faceted impact on the US military, affecting various aspects of its operations, readiness, and overall security posture:

• Safety Concerns: Unauthorized drones present a direct threat to the safety of military personnel, both on the ground and in the air. Collisions with drones could result in serious injuries or even fatalities, as evidenced by the F-16 incident.
• Operational Disruptions: Unauthorized drone activity can disrupt military operations, causing delays, temporary halts in ongoing operations, and lead to the diversion of resources to investigate and address the situation.
• Resource Allocation: Responding to drone incidents requires the allocation of additional resources that could otherwise support essential military functions.

Moving Forward: Mitigating Drone Incidents

The rise of drone incidents necessitates a multi-pronged approach to mitigate the risks they present:

• Developing and deploying counter-drone technologies: To address this growing threat, the military is actively working with C-UAS companies to develop and deploy technologies to detect, track, and disable unauthorized drones. Notably, D-Fend’s EnforceAir system has been recommended by the US Department of Defense’s Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO) to protect installations. This acknowledgment not only demonstrates the effectiveness of C-UAS solutions in addressing this critical need but also illustrates the critical role such technologies play in safely mitigating drone incidents without disrupting local communities or operational capabilities.
• Increased vigilance and awareness: Educating and training military personnel about the potential dangers posed by drones and implementing protocols for safely responding to drone incursions is crucial.
• Collaboration with civilian authorities: Establishing clear communication and collaboration channels between the military and civilian authorities is essential to effectively address the issue of unauthorized drone use. This partnership is vital for a cohesive response to the drone threat, supporting swift management and presenting a unified front.
• Investigating the cause of drone incursions: Understanding the motivations behind these incidents, whether recreational, malicious, or espionage-related, is crucial to developing effective strategies aimed at prevention and response. Such investigative efforts are integral to shaping a nuanced understanding of the drone threat landscape, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of countermeasures.

By taking proactive steps like utilizing C-UAS solutions, fostering collaboration, and investigating the root causes of unauthorized drone activity, the US military can safeguard its personnel and operations. Contact us to learn more about D-Fend’s proven counter-drone solutions.

As part of my role at D-Fend Solutions, I track open-source drone incidents in the public domain, which makes for a revealing journey into the world of drone-related challenges. To date, our Drone Incident Tracker includes over 900 incidents, providing a vast view of the ever-evolving drone threat landscape. Complementing this tracker, we have completed a year of sharing weekly Drone Incident Spotlights on social media. To mark this milestone, let’s delve into the insights and trends we’ve observed.

Unveiling Trends in Drone Incidents

Drone Incident Spotlights serve the dual purpose of providing a valuable resource for staying updated on the latest drone-related incidents and raising awareness of potential threats. The spotlights shed light on incident types, locations, and consequential impacts, offering anecdotal insights into emerging trends and patterns. These Spotlights play a role in raising awareness of the drone threat and advocating for responsible drone use.

Types and Locations of Drone Incidents

Over the past year, smuggling incidents were the most prevalent in Spotlight headlines, followed by harassment, nuisance, near misses, collisions, and privacy violations. Urban areas, particularly airports, prisons, and stadiums & arenas, emerged as hotspots for drone incidents. These insights emphasize the diverse challenges presented by drones and the need for policy and safe, controlled technological solutions.

Consequences and Prevention

Drone incidents can result in various consequences, from injuries and property damage to delays and disruptions. To address these challenges, a multifaceted approach is essential:

• Educating the Public: Increasing awareness of the dangers of drone misuse is fundamental.
• Policy Development: Establishing clear policies and procedures for responsible drone use is imperative.
• Technology Integration: Utilizing innovative technology for detecting and mitigating drone threats can significantly enhance security and ensure continuity of operations.

A Closer Look at Spotlighted Incidents:

Let’s look at headlines from a few of the Drone Incident Spotlights that showcased the diverse challenges posed by rogue drones:

Spotlight #20: Dublin Airport Grounded Again

• Summary: 6th Drone Sighting Causes Flight Suspensions
• Highlights: Dangers of drones near airports and the hefty cost associated with airport disruptions and grounded flights. Emphasized the need for heightened regulation of drone use around airports and other sensitive areas along with the implementation of non-disruptive counter-drone technology.

Spotlight #27: High-Stakes Encounter over Gatwick

• Summary: EasyJet Flight Has Close Call with Rogue Drone, 16 ft. from Collision
• Highlights: Serious safety risks and potentially catastrophic consequences of rogue drones to aircraft, passengers, people, and property on the ground underscoring the need for stricter regulations, robust counter-drone measures, and heightened public awareness.

Spotlight #23: Two Men Charged for Using Ten Drones

• Summary: Dropping Narcotics & Contraband into Seven California Prison Yards
• Highlights: Exposes criminal innovation, calls for heightened prison security, proactive measures, and safeguards against the emerging trend of illicit drone deliveries.

Spotlight #44: NJ Business Owner Faces Charges

• Summary: Using Drone to Contaminate Pools with Damaging Chemical
• Highlights: Reveals criminal drone misuse, emphasizes the need for regulations, public vigilance, enhanced security, and swift law enforcement to protect public safety.

These spotlights offer insights into the diverse challenges posed by unauthorized drones including, for example, airport disruptions, safety risks, and criminal activities. They highlight the need for comprehensive counter-drone solutions to enhance safety and security measures.

The Way Forward: Collaborative Prevention

As we navigate the complexities of the evolving drone threat landscape, it’s clear that a collaborative effort is required to prevent and mitigate incidents. By staying informed, educating the public, and employing effective technological counter-drone solutions, we can collectively work toward safer and more secure airspace.

Follow D-Fend Solutions on LinkedIn for more Spotlights, educational content, and industry insights to stay at the forefront of everything C-UAS.

In the first half of 2023, the wave of significant drone incidents continued to capture headlines, pointing to the need for effective counter-drone solutions, sensible regulations, and safer and more responsible drone usage. These incidents ranged from drone-enabled smuggling and unauthorized intrusions to collisions and technical malfunctions, impacting across sectors. This blog post provides an overview of notable drone incidents during this period, examining the sectors most affected and the countries facing these challenges.

Drones Breaching Borders

United States:
Drone incursions are increasingly being used by cartels to smuggle drugs and monitor border patrols along the southern border for vulnerable entry points for both drug deliveries and illegal immigration. In one such incident reported in the news on January 18, 2023, Texas troopers described how they were followed by drones operated from Mexico while trailing a group of migrants.

The magnitude of the problem was highlighted by Gloria Chavez, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector, who testified that Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley sector of Texas faced over 10,000 drone incursions and 25,000 drone sightings in just one year.

India:
Drone-enabled smuggling of narcotics and arms across the India-Pakistan border has been on the rise. In the first half of 2023, India reported thirty cross-border drone incidents, of which twenty-four were in the state of Punjab. These occurrences represent 45% of Punjab’s total 53 incidents detected over the past three years.

The most notable of these drone incidents carried significant payloads –

March 10: Pakistan-based smugglers attempted to transport arms into India using a drone but were stopped by Border Security Forces. The drone was carrying an AK series rifle, two magazines, and 40 bullets.

April 12: A drone was used to transport 37 kg of heroin across the border from Rajasthan to Punjab, where it was seized by local law enforcement.

May 17: BSF foiled a major smuggling attempt near Kakkar village, shooting down a Pakistani drone and seizing over 15 kg of drugs dropped from the UAV.

Addressing the growing problem, Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik said that the government has taken several measures including round-the-clock monitoring of the borders by Border Security Forces (BSF), collaboration with the police, and making the general public aware of the problem and implications.  The Home Ministry has also established an Anti-Rogue Drone Technology Committee (ARDTC) tasked with evaluating available technology to counter rogue drones.

Drones Plaguing Prisons

In her blog, Drones at Prisons: “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Sandra Welfeld explained how contraband smuggling into correctional facilities by visitors or corrupt prison officials has always been a problem, but now, the increasing availability of low-cost, easy-to-fly commercial drones brings a whole new type of contraband smuggling activity into the sector, fueling contraband trade within prison walls, forcing governments to act.

Drones are now persistently used to smuggle illegal items into prisons worldwide, heightening the danger and risk in the facilities. While Canada and the United States have the most reported incidents this period, drone-enabled smuggling has also been reported at prisons in the UK, France, Spain, Italy, India, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Maldives.

Canada:
Prisons in Kingston, Ontario topped the charts in Canada, with the Correctional Services of Canada seizing contraband and cannabis from three drone deliveries at Collins Bay Institution (March 5, May 17, and June 22) and from two incidents at Joyceville federal multi-level security institution (January 17 and February 20).

United States:
In the U.S., South Carolina had many reported drone-smuggling incidents with drug and contraband deliveries at McCormick (January 24), Ridgeland (March 23), Lee (March 23 & April 29), and Lieber (June 29) Correctional Institutions. Also of note, on April 4^th, federal prosecutors charged two men for using 10 drones to drop methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, tobacco, and cell phones into seven California prisons.

Drone Danger and Disruptions at Airports

Like Prisons, another sector where illegal drones wreaked havoc during the first half of 2023 was Airports. Ireland, the UK, and the U.S. all experienced serious drone incidents at airports.

Dublin Airport had drone incursions that captured headlines six times from January 24 through March 2. Flights were grounded, diverted, and suspended, delaying thousands of passengers traveling to and from Ireland. Ryanair was the airline most affected by the closures, and the 
Irish government vowed to tackle the drone problem.

In the UK, rogue drones not only posed disruptive delays (Edinburgh February 21, Gatwick May 14 with 12 flights diverted during a 50-minute incident, and Manchester June 19) but also posed serious safety issues on four occasions, as drones were spotted dangerously close to planes.

• April 8: Heathrow Airport’s main runway was temporarily closed due to an illegally flying drone that came within three feet of hitting a Finnair plane traveling at 200mph.
• February 24: In a category A incident, a drone came within 16ft of a commercial EasyJet Airbus A320 flight traveling at 300mph. The incident occurred as the EasyJet flight departed from Gatwick Airport and was climbing to its cruising height of 5,000ft.
• April 4: An unauthorized drone was spotted just 100 feet from a flight leaving Heathrow Airport, putting the flight’s safety at risk at 6,000 feet.
• April 8: Heathrow Airport’s main runway was temporarily closed due to an illegally flying drone that came within three feet of hitting a Finnair plane traveling at 200mph.

In the United States, an airplane pilot reported spotting a drone on the side of his aircraft while approaching Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport (March 1), five incidents of unauthorized drones operating in the airspace around the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Massachusetts were reported over three weeks (until March 16), and operations at Pittsburgh International Airport were suspended for half an hour due to reports of an unauthorized drone sighting (June 5).

Drone Danger to Community and Neighborhoods

Communities and neighborhoods have experienced the harsh impact of the criminal use of weaponized drones, in various violent incidents:

Mexico – On May 3, criminal groups dropped DIY bombs on seven strategically important towns located along drug trafficking routes to attack witnesses and obstacles, and on May 8, in a second wave of drone attacks, they dropped 11 bombs on the previously targeted community.

These events are separate from drone incidents from careless users like the drone that crashed into a bush at Frontierland Disneyland, CA (Feb. 27), or the mischief of an individual arrested in Quebec, Canada for launching fireworks from a drone (April 14).

Conclusion

In the first half of 2023, drone incidents occurred across sectors, with Borders, Prisons, Airports, and Communities and Neighborhoods accounting for a major portion of the reported cases, as tracked by the D-Fend Solutions Drone Attack and Incident Tracker. Other incidents spanned multiple additional sectors, including Landmarks and Government Buildings, Stadiums and Arenas, Law Enforcement Agencies and First Responders, Military & Special Forces, VIP Protection, Critical Infrastructure, National Security & Homeland Security, Enterprise, Media, and Nature Preservation. These types of incidents encompass harassment and nuisance, collisions or near collisions, privacy breaches, espionage, and attacks.

The prevalence of drone incidents across sectors underscores the urgency of a broad approach to address the challenges posed by rogue drones. To ensure public safety and security amidst evolving drone technology, it is imperative for governments, security agencies, and industries to collaborate and implement effective counter-drone measures, stronger regulations, and responsible drone usage guidelines.

By understanding and learning from these incidents, officials can cultivate a responsible and sustainable drone ecosystem that fully unlocks the potential of this groundbreaking technology while safeguarding public safety and privacy.

Drone safety is the law, as the Federal Aviation Administration explains. Before flying a drone in  the US, many rules must be considered, particularly for those who still need to pass a comprehensive exam to get the Part 107 license.  For example:

• If your drone weighs more than 0.5 pounds (250g), it needs to be registered; no one should fly a drone that weights more than 55 pounds (25kg)
• Drones should fly below 400ft (120m)
• Unless properly authorized, no drones should fly in controlled airspace (such as airports, government and VIP locations, sports arenas, etc.)
• The importance of line-of-sight – you may not lose sight of your drone
• Any crewed aircraft gets priority in the sky

Just as there are drone rules, there is also counter-drone legislation, some in place, and new proposals in process. In Europe, different countries have different laws. Most countries allow counter-drone solutions in certain environments and situations (such as airports, governmental buildings,  major events, VIP protection, military sites, etc.) after proper authorities recognize the threat of an unidentified drone.

In the US, however, there are some restrictions regarding counter-drone solutions, sometimes affecting the defense posture. Mitigation of drone threats is particularly complex nowadays.

Last year, the White House’s Domestic Counter-UAS National Action Plan and the Senate’s Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act of 2022 were issued, providing a long-awaited and sorely needed plan to address drone threats. Both recognize the heightened risk associated with drone proliferation and the significant level of concern about the weaponization of commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UASs). The strategic goal is to safeguard the expansion of positive UAS activity while safeguarding airspace by closing notable gaps in current laws and policies with new ground rules.

These important steps should be implemented rapidly and applied in the most flexible manner to maximize the value of C-UAS measures in reducing risk and thereby achieving the widest homeland protection coverage possible. While new legislation has yet to be passed, the risk of drone threats continues.

Drone detection is possible and helpful in many ways, but it is not enough, and mitigation must also always be considered. You can detect a drone from miles away. However, you are still limited in which way to protect your surroundings, given current laws, depending on the scenario and which security agency oversees the situation.

Let’s look at one scenario:

Say you are at an outdoor event with thousands of people. You would expect some type of security around, so drones would not be able to disrupt the environment. However, people break laws, so even if the local police or government could declare a “no-fly zone,” plenty of bad actors may endanger the situation and test the limits. This has been seen repeatedly – check out our Incident Tracker, where we cover several sectors, including stadiums and arenas…  Drones are becoming more of a threat to different sectors and scenarios, such as airports, borders, critical facilities and infrastructure, government buildings, law enforcement agencies, homeland security, prisons, and more.

Why should a rogue drone be any different than a conventional threat?

For example,  you see five gunmen walking down the street with M-16s in their hands, pointing at people. Will you do something about it, or wait until they start shooting? How is that different than seeing five non-authorized, potentially armed and dangerous drones flying over people in an amusement park with hundreds of people? Why must we wait until they drop some type of weapon or chemical powder before we react? (Real story: Last year, a drone was used to spray foul-smelling poisonous chemical liquids on the crowd and VIPs at a pre-election event in Brazil.)

Either way, hundreds of people could be injured on purpose or accidentally. (There was serious panic and an hour-long disruption in India after a delivery drone carrying blood vials crashed on the metro line.)

As we go forward, there is no need to wait until something bad happens before we stop another threat – just as most people today have security in their homes without waiting for someone to break in. It is important to control the drone threat while ensuring not to hurt anyone or harm the environment. That’s where mitigation without interruption of communications is key to resolving the problem. In 2021, during a crowded Holy Mass with Pope Francis in Slovakia, an unauthorized drone was detected and fended off by D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir, without disrupting the event or scaring the large crowd in the area.

With the right counter-drone solution, authorized drones are recognized, and their flight is not interrupted. While today’s legal authorities are properly worried about people’s rights to fly drones, unauthorized drones or drones flying over a no-fly zone can be a serious risk to thousands of people. People’s safety and security are important to safeguard while also allowing the benefits of proper drone activity.

My previous blog examined the current state of the rogue drone threat in the context of notable incidents perpetrated by criminals across various environments with malicious intent. Now let’s take a closer look at the drone threat relating to civilians flying drones in restricted areas either as a result of being unaware of or intentionally disregarding the restrictions.

Civilians Unaware of or Disregarding Restrictions & Regulations

While signs, advertisements, and mobile applications help drone pilots determine whether a particular location is restricted, some choose not to follow them. Here are a few examples of these infractions:

At Airports

Drone incidents at airports are trending. Reported incidents spanned four continents with a preponderance in North America and the UK. The open space surrounding runways apparently  entices rogue drone operators. In many countries (like the UK), drone operators are warned about flying near airports. In the USA, anyone flying a drone is responsible for flying within FAA guidelines and regulations. That means it is up to the drone pilot to know the “Rules of the Sky,” and where it is and where it is not safe to fly.

The summer was busy with rogue drone activities at airports. Some of the riskier and more notable incidents were:

In the UK –

• An EasyJet flight from London Gatwick to Rhodes, Greece, came within 10 feet of colliding with a drone at 16,000 feet over London.
• A Boeing-737 commercial plane flying in Newcastle, England, airspace had a near miss with a drone.

In the US –

• A drone sighting at Reagan Washington National Airport, located just a few miles from the Pentagon and White House, caused a 13-minute suspension of flights and a 45-minute delay in normal operations. Ninety flights were delayed and seven were canceled because of the incident.
• A drone came within eight feet of crashing into the windshield of a landing Delta flight at Orlando International Airport in Florida.
• In December, the crew of Spirit Airlines Flight 1304 spotted a drone flying 300 feet below them as the flight approached the runway at Baltimore/Washington International, Maryland, USA’s busiest airport.

Many more drone incidents were tracked at airports worldwide during 2022. Norway’s airport owner Avinor reported 50 drone incursions per month at Oslo airport alone, resulting in delays, costs, and traffic rerouting for passengers, airlines, and the airport.

At Stadiums, Arenas & Crowds

In my blog, Protecting the Playing Field (& The Players, Staff, And Fans) From Drone Threats, I focused on the drone incident situations and latest developments at stadiums and arenas in the US. In 2022, tracked/reported rogue drone incidents saw a 64% increase over 2021. These incidents posed a global safety threat, caused delays to games, or even caused events to be canceled.

The following are some of the notable incidents that happened in the second half of 2022:

In the US –

• In October, during the 7th inning of a Dodger-Padres playoff game, a drone dipped near the playing field in San Diego, California, causing umpires to halt the game for several minutes.
• In Seattle, Washington, in September, an unauthorized drone delayed the Seahawks-Falcons game at Lumen Field, and in a separate incident, a rogue drone delayed the Pac-12 Washington-Stanford Game.
• In the Bronx, New York, in July, the NYPD investigated a drone that hovered above Yankee Stadium’s right field for about 15 minutes during the Yankees’ 14-1 win over the Boston Red Sox.

In the UK –

• In July, West Midlands Police in Birmingham, England, UK, confiscated a drone that was being flown recklessly over crowds of people gathered for the Commonwealth Games

In Brazil –

• A September Botafogo vs. Goiasdoes pro soccer match in Rio de Janeiro was interrupted by an unauthorized drone flying over the stadium.

In Australia –

• In November, Guns N’ Roses’ rocker Axl Rose lashed out at an Australian fan for distracting the band’s performance by flying a drone in front of the stage during a concert at Metricon Stadium.

First Responders

In the second half of the year, tracked drone incidents in such scenarios included instances of attacks, harassment and nuisance (including hampering first responder efforts), and invasion of privacy and collision or near collision.

• In August, the Wildfire Service in Keremeos Creek, BC, Canada, was forced to halt air operations fighting the province’s largest fire because of people flying drones in the area.
• In September, drone pilots were warned to stay away from wildfires after a close call between a drone and a firefighting helicopter at the Ross Fork Fire in Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho, USA.
• In September, a drone operator in the Bell Rapids area of Brigadoon, Australia, had to be located before a rescue helicopter could be sent in to save a boy who fell off a cliff.

Community & Neighborhood

As a last point, multiple incidents occurred in the second half of 2022 in which rogue drones posed threats “closer to home”, with collisions or near collisions or by invading privacy.

Notable events were reported at:

Educational Institutions –

• In December, in Asheville, North Carolina, USA, residents and staff at Eliada Children’s Home were forced indoors after drones harassed children and therapy horses. The drones recorded students’ sessions and taunted employees in an egregious breach of privacy.
• In the UK, due to a reported increase in drone incidents in educational settings, the Department of Education encouraged school administrators to call the police if they see a drone.

At Residences

• In September in Huntington Beach, California, USA, a concerned parent reported a peeping-drone hovering above her daughter’s balcony.

In Neighborhoods

• In September, thousands of people were left without power for up to 3 hours after a food delivery drone crashed into powerlines in Logan, Queensland, Australia.

Stay tuned for the next update, and keep current on drone attacks and incidents reported from public domain sources and information providers such as DroneSec, in D-Fend Solutions Drone Attack & Incident Tracker.

The commercial drone market experienced major growth in 2022, and this trend is expected to continue as drones become more affordable, accessible, and technologically advanced. However, misuse of drones remains a significant risk in this rapidly growing and evolving industry. While most drone users are safely using their drones, nefarious drone operators pose an alarming threat to physical safety and whose actions could also lead to hefty economic damage.

With more drone incidents and attacks reported in the public domain in 2022, lawmakers are taking note. My blog Round-Up of Drone Incidents and Attacks in The First Half of 2022 highlighted incidents that occurred in sensitive environments, such as military bases, airports, border crossings, and prisons. The second half of the year saw criminals continue to take advantage of the technology, as well as unauthorized drone operators disregarding drone regulations and restrictions, in a range of environments.

In this blog series, we’ll examine the current state of the rogue drone threat, specifically in the context of notable incidents across various environments, categorized into those perpetrated by criminals, with malicious intent and those committed by civilians who carelessly disregard or are unaware of restrictions and regulations. The purpose of this series is to provide an understanding of the scope of the rogue drone threat, and to identify and understand patterns of behavior for which countermeasures can be taken to protect people, assets and critical infrastructure from potential harm.

Let’s start with…

The Criminal Side

Technological advancements have always been exploited by bad actors. There is a high degree of adaptability and adeptness among the criminal community to capitalize on new opportunities, swiftly incorporating evolving technologies into their operations. This is happening with drones, which are being used for smuggling, illegal surveillance, and attacks.

In Prisons

Rogue drones are a problem plaguing prisons, with drone contraband deliveries raging at prisons worldwide. For prisoners, drones have become the most effective means of smuggling in illicit goods including drugs, weapons and other contraband. Prison drone incidents tracked by D-Fend increased significantly in 2022, with incidents reported in 16 countries.

Here are just a few of the reported incidents that took place in the latter half of the year:

• In McCormick County, South Carolina, USA, in December, three men were arrested for using a drone to drop narcotics and other contraband into McCormick Correctional Institution and a drone delivery of contraband to the Evans Correctional Institution in Bennetsville led to charges of distribution of marijuana, criminal conspiracy and furnishing contraband to a state inmate or facility.
•  In Trent Hills, Ontario, Canada, Warkworth officials suspected drones were responsible for the December delivery of an array of drugs into the prison in a second banned substance seizure within a week.
•  In Mission, British Columbia, Canada, in November, a drone dropped a firearm at the medium-security Mission prison, causing a lockdown.
• In Stuart, Australia, a Mavic Pro drone was found within the grounds of Townsville Correctional Centre in November. Its payload included methylamphetamine, tobacco, cannabis, and 617 Suboxone strips worth approximately $250,000.
• In Algeciras, Spain, during November, drugs and contraband that were meant to be drone-dropped into Botafuegos prison, instead fell on a nearby terrace after the drone lost control.
• In France, two incidents were tracked in the second half of 2022 – In October, a drone carrying narcotics, mobile phones, and other contraband landed in the courtyard of the Fresnes prison and in December, observations of suspicious drones flying over Vignettes detention center.

At Borders

In a recent Legislative Tour, Gloria Chavez, Border Patrol chief for the Rio Grande Valley sector, stated a big concern she has now is the use of drones by criminal organizations to spy on her agents in the field. She said that criminal “groups are buying drones as soon as they are delivered to Best Buy.” Since last year, more than 24,000 unauthorized drones have been detected in her domain.

Across the globe, incidents surged at the Indo-Pak border in 2022. Indian Border Security Forces reported that incidents of drones delivering drugs, arms and ammunition across the border from Pakistan have more than doubled since 2021.

At Critical Facilities & Infrastructure

A drone attack on or espionage at critical facilities or infrastructure could cause severe disruption, potentially affecting millions of people. The second half of 2022 included several notable reported drone incidents, including:

• In the US, following multiple sightings of drones over Louisiana chemical facilities and a pipeline over the past year and a half, the FBI issued an alert warning of potential espionage and terrorism. In July, multiple drones were spotted flying several feet above a Louisiana chemical plant.
• In October, unauthorized drones were spotted off Denmark’s western coast near the Roar gas field.
• In September, Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority warned oil companies to be more vigilant about unidentified drones flying near offshore oil and gas platforms following a drone sighting just 50 meters away from Equinor’s Heidrun platform in the North Sea.

Attacks Against Law Enforcement

Drones are used by law enforcement agencies around the world in a variety of ways to save lives and enhance the safety of officers. However, use of drones by criminals against law enforcement has the opposite effect.

In Mexico –

• In an attack in November using several drones, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel dropped hand-made explosives on municipal police.
• In July, the criminal group “Los Ardillos” used drones in Guerrero to attack the Buenavista de la Salud Community Police headquarters with fragmentation grenades.

In the US –

• In Spokane, Washington, USA, in August, a burglar used his own drone to attack a police drone in mid-air as it chased him.

In my next blog, we will look at the current state of the threat posed by rogue drones, relating especially to notable incidents caused by civilians unaware of or who carelessly disregard restrictions & regulations.

The start of 2023 has seen drone incidents at prisons happening everywhere, which brings to mind the title of the current movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Considering its 11 Oscar nominations, perhaps there is potential for a new movie next year, with drone incidents affecting everything, everywhere, all at once.

Just in the last week of January alone, as shown in our Drone Attack & Incident Tracker, there were multiple prison drone incidents, reflected in these news headlines:

• USA: Individual arrested for attempting to drone-deliver drugs and contraband to McCormick Correctional Institution State Prison in McCormick, South Carolina
• Canada: A drone-dropped a shipment of methamphetamine, tobacco, and marijuana in the Warkworth Institution in Brighton, Ontario
• France: Drone carrying a package intercepted above Gradignan Prison Yard, Bordeaux
• Trinidad & Tobago: Police recover drone used to drop contraband at Golden Grove Prison

Contraband smuggling into correctional facilities has always been a problem, brought in by visitors or corrupt prison officials. While laws and regulations are clear about what’s allowed in prisons, the increasing availability of low cost, easy-to-fly commercial drones has opened a whole new type of contraband smuggling activity in the sector.

In recent years, drones have been persistently employed for smuggling illegal items into prisons, heightening the danger and risk in the facilities.

“The contraband drop-offs by drone have become a nightly battle at state prisons and continue to fuel an illegal, high-demand trade among inmates, supplying them with drugs, tobacco, knives and some with cellphones, which the state prisons chief said is a top threat to public safety, allowing some to arrange drug-trafficking operations and even plot murder.” (The Post and Courier, Columbia, Feb. 5, 2023)

Security agencies around the world are looking for effective counter-drone strategies and solutions that can minimize the risk from drone delivered contraband. While flying drones above and around prisons is usually illegal, this hasn’t stopped criminals from trying. Lack of budget or personnel to prevent these incidents further exacerbates the problem.

In Spain, drone incidents in prisons multiplied in the past year, leading the Interior Ministry to advance implementing effective counter-drone solutions to detect and mitigate drones. The Ceuta prison measured an average 30 to 40 drone flyovers per day.

“In many cases, drone entry inside walls is dangerous. For instance, one crashed into the officials’ parking lot; another one injured an official and caused bleeding from the propellers, which are barely visible and move at high speed… In general, the drones carry packages with hashish and medication, but they could also possibly carry weapons, making this method much more dangerous,” warns a prison official from Ceuta, in a conversation with THE OBJECTIVE.” (The Objective, Spain, Dec. 28, 2022)

Many counter-drone solutions in the market offer to provide a safer airspace environment around prisons. While lack of budgets may hinder the quick adoption of such systems, many governments have come to understand that ignoring the threat is not an option. In the state of Wyoming, a new bill to prohibit drones over prisons has been approved by the Senate, even though there haven’t yet been many incidents in the state. As the Wyoming Department of Corrections Director Daniel Shannon stated, “it’s just a matter of time. Throughout our nation, institutions are having more and more episodes.”

While some institutions have experimented with traditional counter-drone solutions, it is apparent that such an approach may bring other hazards.  For example, a jammer may interfere with a prison’s communications system, with security implications. A kinetic solution could cause collateral damage to prison assets, inmates, or staff..

Ultimately, prisons must adopt a solution to detect and alert the presence of a drone; locate and track the drone, the pilot/remote controller, and the take-off position; identify whether it is an authorized or unauthorized drone (as an increased number of institutions utilize drones today to monitor prison grounds and inmates); and then ultimately mitigate the rogue drone, as allowed by local regulations and carried out by authorized staff..

D-Fend Solutions sees prison security as an increasingly common and critical use case for EnforceAir.

As we get older, it seems that we celebrate the New Year more frequently, doesn’t it?  I mean, it feels like the year gets shorter and shorter, even though it really doesn’t. If you take into consideration a 5-year-old, a year is 20% of the kid’s life. In my situation, a year is… well, let’s not go there, but it’s more than 1%.

And yet, even though 2022 feels like a short year, a lot happened, particularly as we look in the drone scenario, and this is an even more relevant issue nowadays. Let’s dig into some of the main trends that took place in 2022, as well as concerns and expectations ahead.

1. Weaponized Commercial Drones in Military Conflicts

The Russia-Ukraine war highlighted how low-cost, commercial drones can carry explosives and cameras for military units during warfare. In a recent, fascinating article in The Atlantic, award-winning writer Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down, Guests of the Ayatollah, and The Finish,  describes the impact of drone warfare:  “For years, military strategists have anticipated the arrival of the so-called drone swarm, a large cluster of small flying machines that will herald a new era of intelligent warfare.” But Bowden also points out how countermeasures become top priority once the challenge is clearly recognized: “Just as militaries adapted to heavy machinery and the trench, they will find a solution here.”

2. The Rogue Drone Problem Intensifies

Besides drones purposely used in wars and conflicts, there are many other scenarios where drones can cause major incidents. Two years ago, D-Fend launched the Drone Incident Tracker, where we compile information from public domain sources, representing just a portion of actual drone incidents around the world, since many drone incidents are not publicly known. The tracker compiled more than 20% incidents in 2022 over 2021.

The incidents covered include intentional attacks, smuggling, espionage, and more, in a range of different sectors, including airports, borders, and prisons. Drone incidents can have a devastating impact on daily life. For example, in September, thousands of people were left without power for up to three hours in Queensland, Australia, after a food delivery drone crashed into powerlines.

DRONELIFE Feature Editor, Jim Magill, highlighted how “all of these incidents around the world have prompted national governments to take more robust counter-drone measures. In the United States, the White House made protection of critical infrastructure a key part of its recently announced Counter-UAS National Action Plan.”

3. Concerns about Good Drones Gone Bad

While drones bring many well-known applications and benefits, each use case also carries associated risks. Take the obvious example of fast product delivery, following Amazon’s recent moves in drone-delivery to consumers. Even such positive advances also bring concerns about accidents, incidents, disruptions, or privacy. In a recent article, Morning Consult elaborated on “trust issues” around drone deliveries, according to their 2022 survey: “4 in 5 adults said they were concerned about the unsuccessful delivery of items by drones, while more than 3 in 5 said they were worried about their personal or data privacy related to using drones for delivery.”

Going Forward: Awareness & Action

With increased awareness on the risks from drones, governments are working on better understanding the threat and countermeasures. The White House released the Domestic C-UAS National Action Plan, and Congress is reviewing legislation to “safeguard the homeland from the threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems” (Senate Bill S.4687).

The Action Plan and the proposed legislation offer significant changes to today’s drone regulations, allowing more entities (such as state and local police, critical infrastructure security staff, etc.) to legally detect and/or mitigate rogue drones, and authorizing appropriate and new C-UAS solutions and technology. Such steps could bring much-needed countermeasures to address the rapidly rising danger.

In a recent article at the Inside Unmanned Systems publication, Dawn Zoldi, a US Air Force Veteran and thought leader on drones and defense, reviews 2022 and what to expect going forward. She points out that Brad Wiegmann, Justice Department deputy assistant attorney general in the National Security Division, warned the US Senate that “it’s ‘only a matter of time’ before a drone attacks a mass gathering in the country,” during a June 2022 hearing focused on the evolving threat that drones pose to the U.S.

As we head into the New Year, let’s hope for continued positive legal and regulatory steps to help prevent dangerous drone incidents. Combined with counter-drone technology innovation, we can enable a flourishing drone-powered society, supporting the growth of safe and secure drone adoption.

May 2023 be a Year of Drone Prosperity Protected by Counter-Drone Defense!

I was born and grew up in Brazil. Back then, there was so much hope, and Brazil was often called “The Country of the Future.” (Even though this hopeful expression came from a book that was written and published during World War II…) Brazil is such a beautiful, big country, with amazing nature spots that will take your breath away, such as the Amazon Rainforest, the Iguazu Falls in the South, the Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, and more.

And now…

As we get closer to the country’s upcoming general election (October 2022), certain security challenges persist.

Wait, wait – how is this blog post about Brazil relevant here?

Are you wondering, why I am talking about Brazil and its upcoming election in a blog post that should be related to drones, incidents, and counter-drone solutions?

Easy Answer, Dear Readers…
On June 15, a major drone incident took place in Uberlandia, a city in the state of Minas Gerais, in the center of the country, where one of the Presidential candidates from the Workers’ Party was holding a pre-election event to support a candidate from the Social Democratic Party for the state’s governorship. In the beginning, attendees and supporters thought the drone was part of the event, filming and taking pictures… until the drone started to drop some foul-smelling and putrid poisonous chemical liquids over the public. More than two liters of the liquid payload was released on the crowd.

Until now, the majority of major incidents in Brazil involved contraband of drugs, money, cell phones and more, into jails and prisons. But this attack shows the actual danger of rogue drones at public, VIP events. There have been quite a few of these around the world, including in India, France, USA, Sweden, etc. Some are just harassment or surveillance, and some are more dangerous, actual attacks against a political or famous person. This attack in Brazil highlights how government agencies, including military and federal and state law enforcement units, must take into consideration the significant risk of rogue, nefarious drones during these events and gatherings.

Authorized drones during VIP events are obviously acceptable and beneficial – in fact, the crowd during this incident thought the drone was part of the event, as VIP protection units may utilize drones to monitor the area to make sure there are no other hazards during the event.  Therefore, it is important to not only be able to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized drones but also to allow the authorized ones to continue operations while detecting and mitigating rogue drones.

In addition, countermeasures against rogue drones during these types of gatherings require the ability to easily deploy and move the counter-drone solution. In Brazil, as the many candidates for the upcoming elections are hosting conventions and meetings around the country, being able to quickly set up a counter-drone system for protection is necessary, to provide safety and security in the right space at the right time. But this is true everywhere else as well, as events – whether with VIPs, well-known executives, or famous actors and musicians – can be vulnerable to serious drone incidents.

Flexibility in the operational deployments of counter-drone solutions is necessary to address different environments, scenarios, situations, and requirements. This flexibility involves multiple elements:

• Ability to identify authorized vs. unauthorized drones
• Capacity to detect, alert, locate, track, and identify the drone, and discover pilot position
• Power to either fend-off and/or take control and land the rogue drone, as allowed by regulations
• Varied options for deployment, including stationary, mobile, high-altitude, ground-level, etc.

Adoption of proper counter-drone solutions that can allow for continuity, without interrupting any event or gathering could help Brazil fulfill its “Country of the Future” vision.

On July 21, 2022, a drone incident at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, halted flights for about 45 minutes.

While this is by far not good news, it drew attention to the risk of drone incidents at or near airports – especially at such a high-visibility airport located less than two miles from the Pentagon, and three miles from the White House. In fact, even before this incident, the US government has been leaning forward to battling rogue drones from different angles. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have the same, common goal of preventing these incidents in the country, and have been collaborating and sharing information.

Drone incidents around airports are happening worldwide: from Germany, UK, Turkey, Chile, UAE, Australia, Mexico, to the U.S. and more. The ‘patient zero’ of incidents was London’s Gatwick Airport, which led to the cancellation or diversion of over 1,000 flights over 33 hours, costing the airlines over $60 million in damages! Following this UK incident, in the US the TSA was designated as the lead federal agency to address this issue, and tasked with drafting local tactical response plans (TRPs) for each Part 139 airport in the country.

The TRPs outline TSA’s airport-specific preparation and response measures to address malicious UAS activity at or near airports. However, the U.S. jurisdictional and regulatory complexities associated with responding to unauthorized UAS operations place airport operators and TSA itself in a tricky spot. While federal law enforcement’s authority to counter malicious drones expires in October, federal agencies have been asking lawmakers to extend AND broaden the authority to state, local, territorial, and tribal (SLTT) law enforcement to support the counter UAS effort.

The United States has, for the most part, been able to avoid prolonged airport shutdowns due to unauthorized drone activity, and yet, there have been more than 2,000 drone sightings near airports in the country since last year, as stated by Samantha Vinograd, Senior Counselor for National Security at Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Acting Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention, in a Congress hearing. In addition, she pointed out that “of all the things that keep me awake at night, one that is foremost on my mind is the potential for a major tragedy at an airport.”

A recent article in Bloomberg Government highlights how the DC Airport “disruption is a prime example of why Congress needs to extend and expand federal counter-drone authorities,” as indicated by a senior official at the TSA. In addition, during the August 3, 2022, White House Advanced Air Mobility Symposium, Mr. Lucian Sikorskyj, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism, Threat Prevention, and Law Enforcement for DHS, said the TSA still lacks the needed authority to fully protect airports from an increasing number of threats from UASs. Mr. Sikorskyj added that the new Bill would authorize TSA to detect and mitigate UAS threats in close collaboration with the FAA to ensure there is no danger to aviation safety. He said there is room in that conversation for collaboration with local law enforcement located near airports.

There have been some positive executive and legislative developments in the past few months that will contribute to safer airspace near and at airports, including:

• The White House Domestic Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems National Action Plan

The National Action Plan, released in April, comprises several elements to advance and expand detection and mitigation around the country, including state, local, airport (TSA/FAA), and critical infrastructure levels. It proposes authorization of more advanced, appropriate C-UAS solutions, which are non-disruptive of airspace, while recognizing and allowing friendly authorized drones. The Action Plan also pushes for an incident tracking database, for further airspace protection.

• Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act of 2022

The bipartisan bill, recently proposed, would provide federal agencies with broader authorities to take down menacing drones, and expand the authorities allowed to take actions against drones that threaten airports and the airspace in general.

The U.S. aviation industry depends on smooth, uninterrupted aircraft operations. Sensitive environments require high performance, safe and predictive anti-drone defense.

Traditional anti-drone solutions were NOT designed for airports.

Unlike traditional technology-based anti-drone solutions on the market, new technologies such as RF-cyber takeover, employed by D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir, use non-jamming and non-kinetic methods to keep airspace safe, without any disruption to the regular operation of the airport, its radio communications and navigation systems, while enabling airports to detect, and, once regulations permit, mitigate rogue drone threats safely and efficiently, preserving operational continuity.

Military forces, airports, borders, and prisons all saw notable dangerous drone incidents

While 2022 has seen drones continue to become integrated into society with increasing adoption of various applications, the first half of 2022 has also seen an increased number of nefarious and careless incidents, highlighting the double-edged sword of drones in society today.

Since 2021, I have been tracking drone incidents and attacks from many public domain sources and information providers such as DroneSec and others, watching and monitoring both malicious and careless operators as they pose a constant threat. In the first half of 2022, weaponized drone attacks, as well as their illicit or reckless use, have been on the rise. Most rogue drone activities took place in sensitive environments, including military, airports, border crossings, and prisons. It is important to highlight that there are many incidents worldwide that are not made public for security reasons or simply don’t make the news.

Let’s look at some of the most noteworthy incidents covered in the public domain across different sectors around the world in the past six months:

Military Drone Arsenal

As the fight between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, drones are transforming the rules of war. As Forbes explains:

“Consumer drones, in particular those made by Chinese company DJI, have proven invaluable in this conflict for intelligence gathering, directing artillery, and helping [Ukrainian] foot soldiers stalk and destroy Russian armor, not to mention dropping grenades on unsuspecting Russian troops.”

The use and adaptation of drones for military purposes have escalated to the extent that DJI issued a statement in response.

Here are just a few examples of occurrences and resulting damage:

• A large fire erupted when a Ukrainian kamikaze drone crashed into an oil refinery in Rostov, Russia.
• Mavic 3 drones were used to bomb the Ukrainian front line with makeshift grenade carriers under the drones in paper coffee cups.
• Using a modified DJI Inspire drone, Ukraine’s army dropped Molotov cocktails (beer bottles turned into weapons) on Russian Forces.

And in other countries –

• DJI drone belonging to Hezbollah was downed by Israeli forces after entering Israeli airspace from Lebanon.
• People’s Defence Force used a modified DJI Phantom 3 drone equipped with an air dropper system to shoot mortar rounds at positions held by the military junta in Myanmar.

Unsafe Airspace at Airports

Unauthorized drones have also caused disruptions and delays at airports worldwide through near-collisions:

• Flights at East Midlands Airport, UK were diverted after drones were spotted at nearby Donington Park, where a festival was being held. As a result, six passenger jets and two cargo planes were rerouted to different airports and a runway was closed.
• As two planes approached McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport in the U.S., they were forced to reroute to avoid colliding with a drone in their path.
• According to the U.S. FAA, 38 drones violated Charlotte airspace, including rogue drones coming within 200 feet of airliners landing or taking off from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
• A passenger plane landing at Germany’s Berlin-Brandenburg Airport had to maneuver to avoid a drone. The drone was flying 1,000 meters above the Tesla Gigafactory and dangerously close to the airport. In response to the incident, the airport prohibited landing for 30 minutes.
• All flight operations at Dublin Airport, Ireland stopped for around 20 minutes due to a drone being flown in the area.

Battling Drones at Border Crossings

The smuggling of drugs and contraband across international borders via drones has been headline-grabbing events on three continents:

• Gun traffickers used a large drone to transport 11 handguns from the U.S. into Canada.
• Indian Security Forces thwarted a narcotic smuggling attempt and seized 44 kg of narcotics that was dropped across the border by a Pakistani drone for sale to fund terrorism.
• Belarusian smugglers drone-dropped 6,000 euros worth of untaxed cigarettes across the Polish border.

Drones Plaguing Prisons

The US and Canada topped the list of countries where drones are used to smuggle contraband into prisons, although other countries like Brazil, the Netherlands, and the UK are dealing with the same issue:

• South Carolina has been particularly hard hit by the problem.
  

  Live 5 News recently interviewed Bryan Stirling, Department of Corrections Director who emphasized that “it’s an issue he won’t just let fly. This is a war… Trying to stop them from bringing this contraband in, it’s a constant battle.”

• In Miami, correctional officers at the Federal Detention Center reported multiple attempts to smuggle contraband into the prison with drones.
• Kingston, Quebec keeps making the news as the Correctional Service of Canada again seized several packages containing contraband and unauthorized items dropped by drones for inmates at the Collins Bay jail.

Dulling the Double-Edged Sword

History shows that bad actors will always try to use technology to their advantage. So, what can be done to mitigate the threat of rogue drones and ensure safer airspace while still enabling the use of authorized ones?

A next-generation approach to cyber drone detection and takeover mitigation can help achieve controlled outcomes with safe results.

Enjoy your drones this summer and fly them safely!

The threat from rogue or nefarious drones is not going anywhere. In fact, as drones continue to evolve, the risks will increase and add further dangers and issues to our society around the world.

Countries have different approaches to counter-drone strategy, some more open than others.  Successful rogue drone incident lifecycle management ideally involves detection & alert of a rogue drone presence (while allowing authorized drones to continue their operations); location & tracking of drone, home, and pilot; identification of the drone (manufacturer, model, etc.); and then fending it off or taking control and landing it away from the sensitive environment (mitigation).

Taking control over a nefarious drone brings many benefits to society, as it enables not only the prevention of dangerous incidents but, when legally allowed, may also provide intelligence about the source of the drone, its operator, cargo, etc.

In the US, there has been a dramatic increase in drone incidents in the past two years, which led President Biden’s administration to call for Congress’ help in expanding its counter-drone policies. The situation is not much different in other parts of the world. In fact, if we look at my territory, APAC, the risk of drone incidents is also rising. In South Korea, for example, there were multiple incidents of illegal drone flights spotted between September 2020 and February 2021, near Seoul’s Incheon airport.

In fact, in the past few months, there have been several serious incidents events in the APAC region:

• Suspicious drones scoping out farms for potential burglaries in New Zealand
• Drones dropped improvised explosive devices (IED), grenades and a pistol dropped in India
• Drones illegally videotaped people as a sexual offense in South Korea
• Five flights were diverted from Seoul’s Incheon International Airport due to suspected drone activity
• And more…

We expect more countries to adopt similar strategies as the US to avoid rogue drones and address the considerable damage and consequences they bring. Decision-makers and regulators are already looking at how mitigation is a critical element toward a safer approach to counter-drone activities. Traditional technologies – such as radar and optical on the detection side and jamming or kinetic approaches on the mitigation side – are limited in their ability to identify and stop only rogue drones (as opposed to authorized ones) in certain environments (such as crowded urban areas) and can even lead to collateral damage and considerable risks.

There has been some progress towards a safer and more reliable environment. Yet, it is time to speed up our approach to countering rogue drones, in at least two areas:

1. Regulation: in some countries, only high governmental or federal authorities have authority for the mitigation of rogue drones. This might not be sufficient, especially with impending, time-sensitive threats requiring an immediate response. Thoughtful consideration should be given to training, qualifying, and then allowing more localized government or law enforcement agencies to provide a counter-drone response. Allowing different bodies to take over responsibility for countering nefarious drones could expand the ability to guarantee a safer society.
2. Framework: while optimizing counter-drone regulations is desirable, it is also important to make sure that things are properly set up, not only as to which bodies can mitigate rogue drones, but also how it will happen. Best practices and processes for being able to properly detect and mitigate rogue drones while ensuring public safety should become better defined.

Drones should continue to flourish and bring great value. Drones bring significant benefits to different fields in society – such as search & rescue, first responders, traffic management, law enforcement, disaster relief, and more. But without the right level of oversight, along with detection and mitigation for the small portion of problematic pilots and drones, along with the ability to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized drones, and safely deal with the nefarious drones, the risk is too high.

That’s where a smart, cyber-centric takeover and control-based counter-drone solution can lead to operational agility and flexibility for different environments, sectors, and scenarios while maintaining safety, control, and continuity.

The BBC reports that last month there were days’ worth of mysterious drones sightings over key sites in Sweden, including three nuclear sites and the royal palace.

That same month, a rogue drone and missile attack occurred in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the Associated Press, Iran-backed Houthi rebels caused serious destruction, including:

• Several casualties and injured people
• A fire at an international airport
• A fire at a critical oil facility

Empowering Enterprise Drones

In D-Fend Solutions’ experience working with potential and existing clients around the globe to take control of the rogue drone threat, we have observed a pattern after drone attacks. Homeland security ministries may often move to limit or ban recreational drones, but still want enterprise drones – the foundation of the drone-powered society – to keep functioning.

Following the first major drone attack, the UAE’s Ministry of Interior announced a ban on recreational drones. A Gulf News Report notes that there are permitted exceptions:

“Entities that have work contracts or commercial or advertising projects that rely on filming using drones must communicate with the permit authorities to take the necessary exceptions and permits to carry out their work and projects during this period to avoid any consequences that affect the timing of these projects,” it said.

Those who disregard the latest guidance will be subject to legal liabilities, the ministry said.

Enabling Enterprise Drones

Different industries and organizations have come to rely on enterprise drones, making a complete, country-wide ban difficult.

To address this issue, security agencies in Sweden, the UAE (or anywhere) could      adopt counter-drone technologies that distinguish between authorized and unauthorized commercial/off-the-shelf drones. Such a solution would permit enterprise drones to continue executing their required tasks, even while unauthorized drones in the area are detected, mitigated and eventually landed in a safe area.

The ability to detect, locate and identify rogue commercial drones in the airspace, as well as remote ID capabilities, could help authorities optimize their situational awareness. They can obtain the ability to reintroduce commercial and off-the-shelf drones back into society, while maintaining control over sensitive airspace.

After blogging about the attempted drone attack on electrical infrastructure in Pennsylvania, I want to turn my attention to another major incident that has the media buzzing (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Aside from the shock value, there are two valuable lessons for organizations considering counter-drone solutions.

CNN reported that earlier this week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi survived an assassination attempt after a drone carrying explosive materials detonated outside his residence in Baghdad, the country’s military said.

Seven of Kadhimi’s security personnel were injured, said Ministry of Interior Spokesman General Saad Maan, speaking to Al-Sharqiya TV.

Lesson 1: Expect more such attacks, unfortunately.

In the aftermath of the attack, David Hambling, aerospace and defense contributor to Forbes, spoke with Zak Kallenborn from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism in Maryland.

“The attempted assassination is quite expected, in that drones are a rapidly growing tool of terrorism,” said Kallenborn.

“Kallenborn notes that drones are favored because they can easily bypass the concrete walls and fences that surround high-value targets such as the Green Zone, allowing terrorists to strike places that are otherwise inaccessible,” according to Hambling.

D-Fend Solutions constantly updates our drone incident tracker, so that you can stay up to date with drone disruptions and incidents around the world.

Lesson 2: Governments and organizations should focus on countering the most dangerous drones.

The CNN article contained an interesting tidbit:

Spokesman Maan explained that “only two armed drones were involved in the assassination attempt and that they had been launched from around 12km northeast of Baghdad.”

Unsurprisingly, Kadhimi was attacked by drones that can fly long distances (at least 12 kilometers in this case) and carry a relatively heavy payload.

Not all drones pose an equal actual threat. It is not productive to disproportionally invest in detecting and mitigating smaller, toy-type drones that cannot travel long distances, carry heavy payloads or even travel outside of their Wi-Fi range.

Helpful Resources

Counter-Drone VIP Protection

Law enforcement personnel in California arrested a man this week that they allege was operating a small, unmanned aerial system (sUAS), or drone, with a bag of heroin attached, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Unfortunately, this news is not surprising. Police forces increasingly find themselves dealing with rogue drones. Drones are becoming cheaper and thus more accessible to the public, sleeker, faster, harder to detect and more durable. Many can fly long distances and carry heavy payloads, and are easy to operate, which poses safety and security risks to nearly every type of environment.

Terrible outcomes can even result from accidents, such as a drone colliding with a power line, or a moving vehicle.

Law enforcement personnel want to ensure they are ready. Security Magazine reports that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel and police departments from Connecticut and New York recently assessed their ability to detect and mitigate unauthorized drones from interfering with commercial aviation.

The teams practiced different scenarios and tested the Connecticut State Police’s counter-drone technology. Such tests are critical, because police departments face unique challenges from rogue drones.

sUASs can disrupt large outdoor events protected by law enforcement – but that is far from the only danger they pose. Drones can also be used to hinder police movements during attempted arrests, surveil law enforcement formations and personnel, transport drugs and contraband (as we saw in California this week), and even target law enforcement officials.

Two Complications

Two factors further complicate law enforcement agencies’ ability to cope with the rogue drone threat.

Law enforcement personnel are increasingly relying upon drones to surveil unfolding events, such as active shooting situations, and to capture pictures and videos of potential crimes. But most counter-small, unmanned aerial systems (C-sUAS) do not enable system operators to classify drones as “authorized” or “unauthorized.” This means police operators wishing to detect and mitigate rogue drones would have to shut down their own authorized drones, even if their usage was critical to a developing situation.

Also, many police departments wish to integrate their law enforcement systems with a counter-drone system, but most C-sUAS cannot meet this requirement. By integrating open counter-drone technology with top law enforcement and military command & control (C2) systems, police units can seamlessly integrate the C-sUAS into their work processes and expand operational awareness beyond the tactical team operating EnforceAir.

The Solution

Law enforcement agencies can overcome these challenges by using radio frequency-based, cyber-takeover counter-drone technology to detect rogue drones, identify them and then automatically take over the drones to land them in a safe, designated area. Such a system should be able to classy drones as “authorized” or “unauthorized” and enable permitted law enforcement or first responder drones to remain fully operational and unaffected.

Open cyber technology can also enable agencies to integrate the anti-drone technology with their preferred law enforcement platform.

Rogue drone incidents such as the one in California last week show no signs of abating, unfortunately, so expect to see police departments continue to test their readiness and investigate optimal counter-drone solutions.

An EasyJet plane traveling at 320 miles per hour just after leaving the Manchester, UK airport, nearly collided with a recklessly piloted drone, according to MSN.

The Daily Mail offers details on the flight that took off in September of 2020 and carried 186 passengers:

“A report by the UK Airprox Board which investigates near misses rated it as the most dangerous Category A incident meaning there was a serious risk of collision…

The number of near misses between aircraft and drones has soared dramatically in recent years as the devices have become more popular, leading to fears of a catastrophic accident.

Experts fear that an impact with a heavy drone could disable a jet engine or cause serious injury to pilots by smashing a jet’s windscreen.”

D-Fend Solutions Can Help

Our flagship counter-drone takeover solution, EnforceAir, uses non-jamming and non-kinetic technologies to keep airspace safe, including takeoff and landing runways and airstrips.

Flight schedules proceed as planned, backed by an autonomous system that asserts control over rogue drones and lands them safely in a designated zone. The solution co-exists with airport wireless communications.

EnforceAir can extract a unique identifier (known as a tail number) per drone, sourced from the drone’s communication. Authorized drones can then be tagged as “authorized” to fly in certain areas of the airport, even while mitigation of rogue drones is occurring. This classification capability is absent from radars and other traditional detection systems.

EnforceAir also provides airport authorities with preventive notifications while extracting crucial data – such as the drone take-off position and pilot remote control location, so authorities can alert specific at-risk flights and emergency personnel.

Benefits

• Drones are detected immediately
• Passengers and flight staff remain protected
• Communications function normally
• Flights run on schedule

Resources

We can help keep your airport free from rogue drones. Find out how:

Airports Webpage

Case Study

Brochure

A scary collision between a Chilean Navy helicopter and an unmanned aerial system (UAS) has once again highlighted the tremendous risk to aircraft posed by drones.

According to DroneXL, the navy helicopter collided with a DJI Mavic Air 2 drone. “Based on the photos, it appears that the drone and helicopter must have hit each other at a relatively high speed, with the unmanned aircraft going straight through the windshield of the Bell UH-57B (Bell 206B) JetRanger III helicopter.”

The article adds: “Photos show that the drone crashed through the windshield…seemingly hitting (a passenger) in the face.”

Aviation International News (AIN) reports that the helicopter made an emergency landing and the injured crew member was transported to the hospital with “moderately serious” injuries. A photo of the incident depicts a bloody mask. It is unclear who piloted the rogue drone.

Experts have long warned about the dangers that can result from drones colliding with aircraft.

A study from the Canada National Research Council’s Aerospace Research Center that concentrated largely on planes found that mid- and large-size drones with heavy payload capabilities can do significant damage to aircraft, including shattered windshields, penetration and inhalation hazards, lost optics and the need for emergency landings after impact.

At low speeds of around 140 knots, aircraft that collided with drones showed plastic damage and extensive deformation to the skin, as well as damage to the vessel’s underlying honeycomb structure. At higher speeds of 250 knots, severe deformation of slat curvature, secondary damage to the leading edge, and even penetration of drone debris into the aircraft’s fractured area were observed.

Unfortunately, the mere sighting of a drone in the vicinity of an airport or aircraft is enough to spark fear, often causing costly delays. Ninety-two (92) drone-related incidents were recorded in German airspace in 2020, according to a recent article in Homeland Security Today, with one-third of those incidents leading to severely restricted air traffic:

Such restrictions have consequences. The spacing between arriving and departing aircraft may have to be increased, or it can mean that specific areas, such as individual runways, cannot be used. In extreme cases, no take-off or landing clearances can be issued, which is tantamount to an airport closure. At the beginning of 2020, Frankfurt Airport was out of service for four and a half hours in total, following two occurrences with drones.

Airports require a robust counter-UAS system that will detect and mitigate rogue drones, while preserving continuity and preventing delays.