Drone Detection Technology

[Jack Mallory]

With local politicians now calling on the Federal government to provide states and counties with "drone detection technology," I thought it'd be worth taking a closer look at exactly what that might entail. Try as I might, I haven't yet been able to determine the actual cost of such devices, but I'm sure they're fairly inexpensive and likely come with a sweet government discount.

Also, I'm not entirely clear if the proposed technology does anything other than simply detect drones. Is there some other tech (outside of exclusive military use) that would allow for interference, or the taking down, of drones? Since some of this is being marketed for things such as VIP convoys, I would think that mere notification of an incoming swarm of potentially threatening drones might be somewhat limited in what it provides the end-user.

Here's one of the latest news articles of politicians demanding such things:
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/new...drone-sightings-robin-radar-detection-system/

NEW YORK -- Federal lawmakers say they will push for new measures in Congress on Monday to track down the mysterious drones flying across the Tri-State Area and the country.

Gov. Kathy Hochul says federal partners are deploying a state-of-the-art detection system to New York state.

On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he's requesting the Department of Homeland Security deploy a detection system like Robin Radar Systems, a Netherlands-based company that specializes in tracking drones.

So I looked into Robin Radar. As noted in the above article, they're a company based in the Netherlands that originally got their start in bird detection systems, hence the company's name:

https://publications.tno.nl/publication/34611890/pRwmV9/87207.pdf

In the late 1980's the radar bird detection system ROBIN (Radar Observation Of Bird INtensity) was developed for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) as a near real time monitoring system for bird movement throughout the Netherlands. The RNLAF has been using this system for about fifteen years in support of flight operations, particularly in support of flight planning and en-route navigation. Since the introduction of the system in 1989 it has been very successful in bringing down the number of bird collisions in flight operations.

Here's more info directly from the FFC.GOV website with technical specs, etc (but no pricing).
https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=329392&x=.

4D RADAR-ON-THE-MOVE (OTM)

Need to protect your convoy on-the-move? For VIP protection, law enforcement and military convoys?
Of course you do. That's why we've added 4D radar-on- the-move (OTM) capabilities to our flagship IRIS® drone detection radar.

MULTIPLE TARGETS AND DRONE SWARMS

Drones can be pre-programmed for autonomous flight without an operator and can approach in swarms.
Any drone detection system needs to be capable of detecting multiple targets simultaneously. IRIS® can detect and track hundreds of drones at the same time.

More info from Drone Watch EU:
ROBIN RADAR LAUNCHES IRIS AS FIRST 'NO COMPROMISE' DRONE RADAR
https://www.dronewatch.eu/robin-radar-launches-iris-as-first-no-compromise-drone-radar/

And lastly, from the company itself:
https://www.robinradar.com

It would appear that their three main products are under the names, MAX, IRIS, and ELVIRA. The first of these is specifically labeled as "3D bird detection radar." IRIS (3D coverage) & ELVIRA (2D detection) are more likely the systems to be used against drones.
RADAR IRIS

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGTobj85gto

 

[Jack Mallory]

One of the main questions I have from all this is:
Might such technology, and the obvious financial incentives that come with that, be behind the mind-numbing stupidity currently sweeping across the media and political landscape? Even though Robin Radar is based in The Hague, I'd be very curious to know of any investment/financial ties between this company and media execs and/or politicians. Although it certainly wouldn't have to be limited to this, one manufacturer. What other companies might be laying in wait to take full advantage of the generous, and seemingly-bottomless, government funding?

Or might the deployment of such technology simply be a gateway to other, more invasive, technology, and that's what lies at the heart of the current hysteria?

It is all most curious, indeed.

 

[Mendel]

Try as I might, I haven't yet been able to determine the actual cost of such devices, but I'm sure they're fairly inexpensive and likely come with a sweet government discount.

government markup, more likely

https://www.google.com/search?q=airport+drone+detection+tracking+system+cost

Article:

The Cost of Drone Detection Systems

The price range for drone detection systems is wide and highly variable, generally spanning from around $10,000 to over $500,000, depending on the system's features and capabilities. Here's a breakdown of the price categories and what each typically offers:

1. Entry-Level Systems ($10,000 - $50,000): These systems are suitable for smaller sites or private users looking for basic detection features. They can often identify drone activity within a limited range but may lack advanced tracking or identification capabilities.

2. Mid-Range Systems ($50,000 - $200,000): These systems are ideal for larger sites or facilities needing enhanced security. They typically include advanced sensors and can identify a drone's model, signal type, and sometimes even its operator's location within a specific range.

3. High-End Systems ($200,000 - $500,000+): Used by military and government facilities, high-end systems offer sophisticated detection, tracking, and even jamming capabilities. These systems cover extensive ranges and can detect drones with pinpoint accuracy, often integrating with broader security infrastructures.

Source: https://www.polaris-cloud.com/news/the-rising-demand-and-cost-of-drone-detection-systems

From 2019:

Article:

October 1, 2019

Building an integrated drone detection system (DDS) into Germany's busiest airports will cost around EUR500 million, according to Germany's air navigation service provider Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS).

Source: https://www.unmannedairspace.info/counter-uas-systems-and-policies/integrating-drone-detection-systems-into-airport-surveillance-networks-in-germany-will-cost-eur500-million/

Here's what a cheap system can do:

Article:

This new security sensor is designed to detect, track, and identify remote ID-compliant drones anywhere in the air 750+ meters away from its installation point with a 360-degree field of view and provide the geolocation of the drone pilot. At a special introductory price of $9,995 USD till the end of 2024, Remote Drone ID is the lowest cost drone detection system on the market.

The FAA requires all commercial and recreational drones that need to be registered also must emit a radio-signal ID at 2.4 or 5.8 GHz (see Title 14). Remote Drone ID is a plug and play (PnP) system that constantly monitors the surrounding airspace for these signals

Source: https://www.spotterglobal.com/blog/spotter-blog-3/spotter-global-announces-remote-drone-id-tm-the-worlds-lowest-cost-drone-detection-system-29

Obviously, that system is going to be helpless against malicious actors who modify their gear not to send these signals.

There are several vendors who offer more or less portable systems with jamming capabilities; I get the feeling that they've been developed with armed conflict in mind. For example, GPS jamming doesn't seem like a good option for a system intended to be used at airports or in cities.

 

[Mauro]

https://www.twz.com/sea/theres-a-growing-market-for-counter-drone-systems-for-superyachts

 

[JAFO]

Does anyone know how to successfully pickup the Remote ID signal drones are now required to broadcast? I know there is an APP for Apple and Android but from what I can gather, neither work. This seems like an inexpensive solution for drones that close by. Of course, the operator could bypass Remote ID and not by flying legally.

 

[Dave51c]

Does anyone know how to successfully pickup the Remote ID signal drones are now required to broadcast? I know there is an APP for Apple and Android but from what I can gather, neither work. This seems like an inexpensive solution for drones that close by. Of course, the operator could bypass Remote ID and not by flying legally.

I don't know if there is a discreet frequency the remote ID is transmitted on but I imagine it is embedded in the main telemetry stream transmitted from the drone.

In general any wideband radio receiver capable of operating in the 800Mhz-6GHz range can be used to listen to the telemetry (software would be needed to decode data - and the protocol might be included in manufacturing manuals) transmitted from a drone to the operator (and operator to drone if you are physically close enough). If the drone has a video camera they tend to operate in the 5.8Ghz band. That telemetry might be heard as audio modulated on an RF carrier - there is discussion around the data link being on 2.4GHz

No fancy radars needed, simple signal identification would let you know there is a drone in the air nearby. Using directional yagi antennas would give you direction to source.

Did find this for you as a starting point perhaps:
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/sdr/comments/1bpx647/sdr_for_drone_discovery_or_tracking/?rdt=34561

 

[Mendel]

I don't know if there is a discreet frequency the remote ID is transmitted on but I imagine it is embedded in the main telemetry stream transmitted from the drone

That's the older DJI system.

The newer FAA system (also adopted in Europe, I think) involves either Broadcast Remote ID via something like a Bluetooth transmitter on the drone, or Network Remote ID via an Internet connection to a service provider, either directly from the drone or from its controller.

 

[MonkeeSage]

The git repo for one of the apps lists ASTM F3411, ASD-STAN prEN 4709-002 as the relevant standards.

https://www.astm.org/f3411-22a.html
https://stan-shop.org/en/catalog/item/75040

 

[John J.]

Not so much drone detection stuff as some notes on drone mitigation kit, so off-topic but I thought it might be of interest/ relevance.

There are a number of anti-drone systems being developed, trialled or recently deployed.
No idea how effective any of them are in the real world.

Raytheon has the High-Energy Laser System (HELWS), aimed by their Multi-Spectral Targeting System.

(Might be wrong, but the turret looks a bit like grafted-on CGI to me...)

"Five years ago, few people worried about the drone threat," says Roy Azevedo, president of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. "Now, we hear about attacks or incursions all the time. Our customers saw this coming and asked us to develop a ready-now counter-UAS capability. We did just that by going from the drawing board to delivery in less than 24 months."

"US Air Force gets drone-killing laser", New Atlas website, David Szondy 23 October 2019
https://newatlas.com/military/us-air-force-drone-killing-laser/,
also at RTX's (Raytheon's parent company) website, https://raytheon.mediaroom.com/2019...rst-laser-counter-UAS-System-to-U-S-Air-Force


Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j-E2bCOrg8


Not sure how representative the footage of disintegrating drones is.

An Anti-UAV Defense System, AUDS, which relies on jamming and has a range of 8 km (4.97 miles) has been tested by the US military along the Korean DMZ;
"U.S. Military Deploys First Fully Integrated Anti-UAV System", RF Globalnet website, Jof Enriquez, 27 January 2017
https://www.rfglobalnet.com/doc/u-s-military-deploys-first-fully-integrated-anti-uav-system-0001,
same website, "Anti-UAV Defence System (AUDS) Unveiled By Trio Of British Technology Companies", from Blighter Surveillance Systems, 19 May 2015
https://www.rfglobalnet.com/doc/anti-uav-defence-system-auds-trio-british-technology-companies-0001

The UK Royal Marines have a 2.5+ km range 1-man system that also relies on jamming/ signal manipulation, NightFighter X (found photos of Army personnel using it as well).

"NightFighter X: The Royal Marines' new counter-UAV system", (BFBS) Forces News, Alex Walters, 05 November 2021
https://www.forcesnews.com/news/nightfighterx-royal-marines-new-counter-uav-system

Hopefully it works, as some NightFighter X sets have been sent to Ukraine:
"Norway and Great Britain to transfer to Ukraine Black Hornet micro unmanned aerial vehicles and NightFighter anti-drone systems", Militarnyi website (Ukraine defense industries), https://mil.in.ua/en/news/norway-an...vehicles-and-nightfighter-anti-drone-systems/

I assumed NightFighter simply disrupted the control signal, but a video posted by the manufacturer, SteelRock Technologies, implies it can have a bit of a sting too;
NightFighter X in Action 2024 - SteelRock Technologies, posted on YouTube:


Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btiAmu9COzE


SteelRock Technologies' NightFighter X website here,
https://www.sruav.co.uk/nightfighter-x/

Rifle sights optimised for drone shooting are coming into use, but it might not be sensible to encourage live fire on drones in New Jersey at the moment!
"British Army to get counter-drone SMASH smart weapon sights", Army Technology .com, Andrew Salerno-Garthwaite, 28 June2023
https://www.army-technology.com/new...nter-drone-smash-smart-weapon-sights/?cf-view:

Using a see-through display, the IWOO system automatically detects, highlights, and tracks potential targets, including drones. While the soldier has the smart weapon site active, an overlay on the lens will indicate the direction to aim to in order to hit even a small aerial target moving at speed.

While the soldier is activating the firearm by applying pressure to the trigger, the system suppresses the firing mechanism until the rifle is aimed on the correct trajectory to hit its target.

Not sure how popular this will be if it's carried by infantry section riflemen (as opposed to hypothetical counter-drone specialists); soldiers like things that work when they pull the trigger. A system that suppresses this might not be soldier-proof.

 

[jdog]

Has been mentioned in another thread last week, but Anduril has been promoting their anti-UAS networked system to the military for a couple of years now, featuring their Wisp (Wide-Area Infrared System for Persistent Surveillance) detection system: https://www.anduril.com/hardware/wisp/. It promises detection of commercial aircraft up to 150 kilometers away and various sized drones up to 20 kilometers away.

 

[Dave51c]

The newer FAA system (also adopted in Europe, I think) involves either Broadcast Remote ID via something like a Bluetooth transmitter on the drone, or Network Remote ID via an Internet connection to a service provider, either directly from the drone or from its controller.

Ah, that makes sense to use Bluetooth/WiFi to make drone monitoring software easier to deploy. Network Remote ID would seem to me like an "attack" vector to send false data to whomever the service provider is for whatever malarious reason I can't think of.

For anyone wanting to dive into the weeds I found an interesting (and for me educational) GitHub repo which might help in a DIY detection system;

https://github.com/opendroneid/opendroneid-core-c

iOS

The DroneTag application for iOS can received Bluetooth 4 Legacy Advertising signals on iOS. It is available on the AppStore. The source codes are available at https://github.com/dronetag/drone-scanner and can be built for both iOS and Android.

Another receiver application for iOS is being Beta tested here: https://testflight.apple.com/join/HA3EL4zw.

Apple currently does not expose suitable APIs to receive any other transmission method for drone ID signals than BT4 legacy advertising. I.e. current versions of iOS (up to and including 15) do not support receiving BT5 Long Range + Extended Advertising, Wi-Fi NaN nor Wi-Fi Beacon.

If I had the time and inclination, from the above, I'd first try to explore non-IOS and Android platforms to bypass OS exposure of Bluetooth/WiFi hardware. A suppose Linux or a RTOS on something like a Raspberry PI.

 

[Mendel]

Network Remote ID would seem to me like an "attack" vector to send false data to whomever the service provider is for whatever malarious reason I can't think of.

BRI is also not expensive to spoof, given that a transmitter need not be attached to a drone, know its position, or be at the position it indicates.

If I had the time and inclination, from the above, I'd first try to explore non-IOS and Android platforms to bypass OS exposure of Bluetooth/WiFi hardware. A suppose Linux or a RTOS on something like a Raspberry PI.

If you want it off the shelf, there's the WarDragon Kit+ (Includes 2.4GHz Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Drone Remote ID Detection) for $700.

 

[Jack Mallory]

CT State Police getting in on the game.

But once again, ya' gotta love how @1:24 they cite the rash of "drones" being spotted over New Jersey, while clearly showing footage of an airplane!
Absolute clown show from local news.


Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dLlekyETG8

 

[Ann K]

Absolute clown show from local news.

To his credit, the anchor introduced the story with air quotes around "drones".

 

[Resistor]

The company Airsight has developed and deployed their drone detection system for multiple use cases including Airports - https://www.airsight.com/industry/drone-detection-airports, Sports Events - https://www.airsight.com/industry/drone-detection-spectator-sports?hsLang=en-us and Critical Infrastructure - https://www.airsight.com/industry/drone-detection-critical-infrastructure?hsLang=en-us This explains how they detect drones - https://www.airsight.com/en-us/knowledg-hub/drone-detection