Overview of the Development of Counter-Drone Technologies
In recent years, drones have rapidly increased in both military and civilian applications due to their versatility and cost-effectiveness. This trend was particularly evident in the recent Russia-Ukraine conflict, where drones played a crucial role. Both sides used a range of drones, from commercially available models to more advanced military versions.
The mixed use of military and civilian drones has raised significant concerns among military forces regarding the changes in military strategies and tactics. Furthermore, with decreasing production costs, drones are now more accessible to various actors, leading to harmful or illegal uses of drone technology in the civilian sector.
These malicious drones may either be modified commercial models or custom-designed versions for illegal purposes. Potential threats from these drones include surveillance and privacy violations, security risks, harassment, sabotage, transporting illegal or harmful goods, and even the use of drones as weapons.
Whether in military or civilian contexts, the advancement of drone capabilities and the associated risks have made the development of counter-drone technologies crucial. Many countries have prioritized the creation of effective countermeasures to mitigate these potential threats.
Government agencies worldwide are addressing the problem by implementing regulations, deploying counter-drone technologies, and establishing no-fly zones to prevent malicious drone activities. Counter-drone systems involve detecting, tracking, and identifying drones, followed by taking appropriate countermeasures to neutralize the threat. These systems are of paramount importance in both military and civilian sectors.
Although counter-drone technologies are still relatively new, numerous research institutions and companies are actively developing solutions. This article provides an overview of the main counter-drone solutions currently available in the market, analyzing the detection, classification, and identification technologies used in these systems, as well as the countermeasures employed to mitigate identified threats.
1. Key Anti-Drone Solutions Today
Counter-drone technologies began emerging in the market around a decade ago and are still under active development. Several companies are now selling both military and civilian counter-drone products.
Table 1 summarizes some of the leading counter-drone systems from international companies, highlighting their main features and the technologies they utilize.
Table 1: Leading Anti-UAV Solutions from International Companies
| Company/Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Lockheed Martin, "Morfius" Drone Interceptor | A reusable anti-drone system using high-power microwave technology mounted on drones to counter drones and swarms. It supports multiple engagements at long range and is compatible with various defense architectures. It can be launched from air, ground, or mobile platforms. |
| Raytheon, "Coyote" Drone | A modular ground-based anti-drone system that integrates radar, RF sensors, electro-optical infrared cameras, and GPS. It securely transmits data via radio to a command network. Countermeasures include both kinetic and non-kinetic options like the "Viper" cannon and directed energy. |
| Northrop Grumman, M-ACE System | A mobile, ground-based anti-drone solution that can be deployed in under an hour. It includes RF sensors with a 15 km range and uses a classification engine to identify drones based on RF characteristics. Countermeasures disrupt GNSS and remote control systems. |
| General Dynamics & Dedrone, Anti-Drone System | A portable anti-drone system designed for autonomous, unmanned, and multi-domain threats. The containerized solution deploys quickly and uses AI for threat classification. Countermeasures include high-precision RF interference (soft kill) or kinetic weapons (hard kill). |
| Liteye Systems, Drone Detection System | A strategic anti-drone system with a 10 km detection range, using Ku-band radar and advanced camera trackers. The system also integrates RF suppression and multi-band antennas targeting GNSS frequencies for countermeasures. |
| Bright Monitoring Systems, AUDS System | A modular, containerized anti-drone system with NATO-standard electro-optic sensors. It tracks drones using AI-based algorithms and employs hard kill measures through the "TerrahawkLw" gun devices. |
| MMSI Defense Systems, "Terrahawk Paladin" Anti-Air System | An integrated anti-drone solution for small and mini drones, combining radar and camera sensors to detect, monitor, and suppress airspace threats. |
| Thales Group, EagleShield System | A tethered drone station that provides continuous surveillance and protection for sensitive sites, offering passive defense against unauthorized drones. |
| Elistair, Orion 2.2TW Drone | A multi-layered anti-drone system with mobile and fixed deployment options. It integrates radar, electro-optical infrared cameras, signal intelligence, and acoustic sensors. Countermeasures are based on soft kill (disrupting GNSS and communication). |
| Elbit Systems, "Redrone" System | A flexible anti-drone solution designed to protect ground sites and mobile fleets. It integrates radar, passive communication intelligence, and electro-optical sensors, using AI to minimize operator workload. It offers both soft and hard kill countermeasures. |
| IAI, "Drone Guard" | A modular anti-drone system that can be deployed as mobile or fixed. It includes radar, RF sensors, and electro-optical sensors. Countermeasures use jammers to block remote signals or disrupt GNSS, interfering with drone navigation and control. |
| Controp Precision Technologies, TORNADO-ER System | A system capable of detecting and tracking drones from up to 12 km. It uses stabilized electro-optical and thermal imaging sensors combined with real-time video algorithms. Countermeasures include kinetic and non-kinetic options. |
As shown in the table above, most manufacturers rely on radar technology (with some emphasizing passive systems) and passive image sensors, usually combining optical and thermal sensors for drone detection and tracking.
Systems incorporating acoustic sensors are relatively rare. Counter-drone technologies typically do not include active optical systems, such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) used in autonomous vehicles or mapping applications, even though LiDAR can quickly provide data on target distance, azimuth, and elevation.
Regarding drone classification, some manufacturers have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) systems. However, details regarding the algorithms used remain scarce.
When it comes to countering or eliminating threats, two primary approaches are commonly used: soft kill and hard kill. Soft kill measures involve disrupting the drone’s GNSS navigation system and the RF communication link between the drone and its control station. These solutions are often designed for dual-use purposes, aiming to protect both civilian infrastructure and military assets.
On the other hand, hard kill methods are tailored for military applications and typically involve weapon systems such as machine guns or artillery.