With the progress of remote technologies, drones are becoming more advanced. Hence, increased availability of affordable drones has enhanced the scope for criminals to use them in unauthorized activities.
Increased criminal activities involving drones have forced national security to implement anti-drone systems to detect unauthorized drones and destroy them.
These anti-drone systems are implemented in most important buildings, international borders and airports to protect the places from potential drone attacks. In this blog, we will uncover how anti-drone systems play a key role in airport security.
What is an Anti Drone System?
An anti-drone system or a Counter Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS), focuses on detecting unauthorized drones and tracks them. Moreover, an anti-drone system is also capable of delivering passive surveillance using camera sensors. Many advanced anti-drone systems also have the capability to neutralize potential threats.
In airport security, anti-drone solutions play an important role. Since the airport is a place where thousands of people come daily, it becomes a soft target for terrorists or criminals to initiate attacks from these places. Technologies like UAV detection radar used in the anti-drone solutions can be an effective option to combat it.
Why is Airport Security So Important?
Airport security is important for defending against threats like terrorism and sabotage, insider threats and illegal immigration. These types of issues can cause potential harm to the integrity of a nation and impact the infrastructure of the airport security.
Terrorist Attacks
Terrorism can create a significant threat to national security, critically impacting the functioning of the airports. Terrorists can potentially target particular aircraft, facilities and runways, which can impact on the overall security protocol of the airport. Therefore, employing strong protection measures becomes a priority. Moreover, terrorists can also use drones and fly them closer to aircraft, increasing the scope of potential collision.
Hostility in Insiders
Airport authorities often ignore these kinds of threats, but hostility among insiders can pose crucial security threats. Insider staff members can be involved in criminal activities like stealing or smuggling. Besides, many airport security have access to sensitive data or prohibited areas, which can pose massive security risks for the employees.
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration through the airport can cause significant issues. For example, criminals can also enter a country using the airport if there is any issue with the screening in the airport. Persons with malicious purposes can enter through airports to smuggle or orchestrate criminal activities.
How is the Anti-drone System Used in Airport Security?
Preventing the drones from entering the airport requires 24/7 protection and coverage in the airport. Not only the anti-drone system operators, but also the ground teams need to be aware of the situation before responding to the potential threats.
One of the most critical functions of the anti-drone system in protecting the airport would be accurate drone detection. In other words, the anti-drone system needs to cover areas of at least 3 kilometres.
Cameras
Anti-drone systems use high-resolution cameras that can provide accurate imaging covering a wider area. However, they should be installed around the nearest perimeter of the airport. The cameras installed in the nearest diameter should be able to detect thermal imaging and infrared which can help to distinguish between drones and other flying objects like birds. In anti-drone systems, the cameras should also be capable of working in adverse weather conditions, like foggy or overcast situations.
Radio Frequency (RF) Analyzers
Radio Frequency attachments come into two categories; Navigational RF and RF signal decoders. Navigational RF devices have multiple antennas which help in identifying the radio signals that transmit between the controller and the unauthorized drone. The RF-controlled directional finders are also able to determine the model and design of the drone involved in illegal activities.
RF-operated signal decoders gather data like the location of the drone and its controller directly, fetching data from the drone’s system. Therefore, RF is an almost cost-effective option for protecting the airport from unauthorized drone attacks. The RF analyzers combine with an anti-drone system for optimal detection and movement tracking.
UAV Detection Radar
Detecting Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drones becomes easy with the integration of UAV detection radars. Similarly, like a traditional radar, a drone radar can emit signals and listens to the echo of the signal when it encounters unauthorized objects considering the position of the travel. These types of radars are capable of detecting and tracking unmanned aerial vehicles over a wider location than other types of anti-drone systems. Therefore, it provides a more comprehensive security around the airport. On top of that, this type of radar can also detect autonomous drones that are key for classifying the drones from birds.
Conclusion
An effective anti-drone system in airports is crucial for the sake of the protection of the people arriving daily and creating a national security protocol. Working with world-class operating systems can develop the security systems and create a stronger defence against unauthorized drones.
