Images shared to social media show Belgian security forces armed with a combination of
handheld anti-drone weapons to protect a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and King
Philippe of Belgium held on Monday, June 14.
From the images, it can be deciphered that two different types of anti-drone systems
were deployed - a non-kinetic one & another a kinetic one.
The deployment of these two systems simultaneously indicates how much security forces are concerned
about drone attacks on high-value targets.
This has actually opened a new dimension and is a major head-ace for security forces.
In this video Defense Updates analyses how U.S. President Joe Biden is being protected
from drone attacks?
Let's get started.
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The proliferation of drone tech is turning out to be a major challenge for militaries
around the world.
On September 14, 2019, the facilities of Saudi Arabia's oil company Aramco located in the
east of the country came under attack.
The world’s biggest oil refinery near the city of Abqaiq and a refinery near Khurais,
where Saudi’s second-largest oil field is located were targeted.
As per reports, the raid began around 4 AM and drones as well as cruise missiles were
used in the attack, there were 18 drones and 7 missiles.
The drones were able to evade the air defense and cause a lot of damage.
At a presentation, Becca Schwartz, who leads strategy for Lockheed Martin Counter-UAS,
pointed to, among other things, the spectacular displays of drone swarms in the Olympics as
an example of just how much commercial tech can offer for potential terrorist or military
swarming.
Schwartz added, “Accessibility to the hobbyist means that it’s accessible to the adversary,”
Let check the two anti drone weapons one by one.
DroneGun Tactical is made by Australian firm DroneShield.
It large for a gun — 56 inches long, 18 inches tall and 8 inches wide and it looks
like something out of a Si-Fi movie.
It weighs just 16 pounds or 7.25 kg loaded with two rechargeable 14.4V lithium battery
packs.
Using radiofrequency (RF) jamming to disrupt operator links, it can take out drones more
than a kilometer away.
The operator just needs to maintain a line of sight.
When fully charged, it can work an hour or two of straight jamming, more than enough
to take down a dozen Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
The system has already been used in an actual scenario.
According to a company press release, combined elements of the Presidential Security Group
(PSG) and PHISGOC Games Safety & Security Counter-Drone Team from Safer PH Innovations
(DroneShield’s Philippines partner) successfully disabled seven commercial drones during the
Opening Ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian Games held in Philippine Arena, Ciudad de
Victoria, on 30th November 2019.
As per reports, 4 drones appeared along the flight path of the Presidential helicopter
minutes before his arrival which prompted the PSG to deploy the DroneShield systems
to prevent the drones from hitting the rotor blades of the helicopter and causing a crash
that would endanger the life of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.
Skywall Patrol is made by UK-based OpenWorks Engineering.
The system gives a mobile operator the ability to physically capture a drone in a net.
It can be used in conjunction with electronic counter-measures for a layered defense, or
in scenarios where an electronic attack cannot be used.
OpenWorks states that the Skywall is a more effective solution to bring down drones than
other kinetic solutions because “Conventional weapons often fail to incapacitate a drone
and do not offer a proportionate response to the drone threat.”
As per the manufacturer, it uses compressed air to launch a projectile up to the drone
after the operator has targeted it using the onboard SmartScope, which compensates for
drone speed and range automatically.
The intelligent projectile splits in half when in close proximity to the drone and deploys
a net to capture it.
The projectiles contain a parachute to guide the drone safely to the ground.
OpenWorks has developed different kinds of projectiles for the system - SP10, SP40, SP90,
TR10, TR40 having different usage.
The company also states that SkyWall Patrol can be used as a standalone drone defense
solution but can also be integrated with a wider security system, using the SkyLink module,
to offer a highly capable counter-drone package.
A single SkyWall Patrol system can protect an area or multiple systems can be deployed
from mobile units to protect a large site.
Drones have been used in the past for assassination potential attempts on world leaders.
In 2018, a drone exploded in the air above Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro when
he was giving a speech in front of a large crowd.
A stampede ensued and left seven Venezuelan National Guardsmen injured.
Drone swarm technology is being nurtured by many nations for combat use.
The technology of swarming is in which drones, as well as smart munitions, will be deployed
in squadrons, able to think independently and operate as a pack using Artificial Intelligence
(AI).
This concept will allow thousands of independent units to act as one and home in on the target
in a collaborative fashion.
It is evident that drones are set to play an important role in the coming days.
In this situation, it can essential that proper counter-drone systems are available to security
forces.
DroneGun Tactical & Skywall Patrol are not only excellent standalone solutions but complement
each other well.