Non-kinetic counter-UAV measures work by interrupting or intercepting communication signals. These methods usually end with the drone falling to the ground at a fairly fast speed, so it is an unwelcome countermeasure to use in crowds. While it may not be suitable for use in crowds, it can be useful in other environments. When considering drone countermeasures, always check the laws of your country, drone jammers and drone spoofers are not legal in the United States. Let's take a look at some different non-kinetic C-UAS methods.
Jammers are designed to block radio frequency signals, while spoofers emit false GPS signals that resemble legitimate ones. By sending a counterfeit signal, spoofers can hijack the drone's communication link, causing the device to misinterpret it as a valid signal due to its similarity to the true signal.
Spoofers function by broadcasting a more vigorous fake signal. They can instigate a short delay between the drone and its controller, then proceed to send a more forceful false signal. This grants the spoofer control over the device, enabling them to fly the drone. Spoofers manipulate GPS receivers.
When a UAS device operates using GPS, it becomes increasingly difficult to protect against GPS spoofing. The GPS signal is transmitted from satellites, and it is not possible to apply standard protective measures, such as encryption and certificates, to these satellite signals.
Spoofers have four main disadvantages compared to C-UAS:
In various nations, including the United States, engaging in drone spoofing is illegal.
Drones operating without GPS are less vulnerable to the tactics employed by drone spoofers.
Drone spoofers do not possess the means to determine the pilot's location or the flight's route.
The interference caused by drone jammer to nearby GPS signals poses significant difficulties for authorities in utilizing GPS devices during true emergency scenarios.
A drone jammer (also known as a drone jammer gun) is a device used to bring drones to the ground.
It is designed to interfere with the radio signals that control drones, which results in grounding them by blocking their communication capabilities.
The drone industry is experiencing a surge in growth that is both rapid and substantial, with no evidence suggesting a forthcoming slowdown.
The proliferation of drones in the airspace has introduced a considerable challenge—how to manage and restrict their access to no-fly zones.
The Federal Aviation Administration has been working assiduously to promote the adaptation of drone pilots and the general public to the evolutionary developments we are experiencing at this time.
While there have been substantial efforts to facilitate the entry of drones into commercial airspace, the process has not been without its challenges, and the occurrence of drone incidents appears to be increasing at sporting events, airports, and other areas.
How do drone jammers work?
The mechanism of jammers involves sending out electromagnetic noise at particular radio frequencies, which aims to interfere with the radio and GPS signals that drones use for their operational guidance.
The standard frequencies for drone jammers are often cited as 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz. These frequencies are public and are not allocated for manned aircraft, public broadcasting, or mobile phone communications.
Generally, drone jammers are shaped similarly to firearms and operate by delivering a jamming signal within a cone measuring around 15 to 30 degrees.
When a drone experiences a jamming signal, it most often responds by returning to its original point of departure, unless the GPS is also affected. This action gives the jammer operator the ability to track the drone and pinpoint the pilot's location. In some instances, the use of a drone jammer can result in the drone landing at the scene, thereby enabling a forensic investigation to take place.
The most potent drone jammers on the market can function at a range of nearly one mile, and their effectiveness is amplified as the pilot's remote control is distanced from the drone.
In response to incidents such as the 2015 drone crash on the White House lawn, federal agencies have significantly ramped up their use of drone jammers to secure critical infrastructure and the residences of senior government officials, including the White House.
Events that draw significant crowds and receive considerable media coverage, such as the Olympics and the Super Bowl, often make use of drone jammers to avert unauthorized drone activities that could disrupt the event or endanger security. For example, during the Super Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the implementation of drone jammers was part of an extensive security strategy that included both performance choreography and surveillance efforts.
Checklist for choosing a quality drone jammer:
Guarantee that the jammer spans the required distance to ensure effective protection of the designated airspace.
The system should be designed for simplicity, allowing users to operate it with minimal training requirements.
Find a jammer that can obstruct a comprehensive range of frequencies to effectively address different drone types.
Analyze your situation to decide if a portable device for field operations is required, or if a fixed device for permanent installation would fulfill your needs more effectively.
Determine a device that is built to withstand and perform reliably in multiple environmental scenarios.
In the context of jamming, the paramount consideration is power. Essentially, if the signals from the pilot and the GPS are sufficiently robust for the drone to demodulate and decode them despite the interference caused by the uav jammer, the jamming efforts will be rendered ineffective. It is likely that any stationary omnidirectional or directional jammer will be situated on the airfield, while the unauthorized drone operator will probably be located beyond the airfield's perimeter.
When the drone operates within the boundaries of the airfield, the strength of the signal received by the pilot diminishes as the distance increases. Conversely, as the drone approaches, the impact of the jamming signal on the drone intensifies.
Consequently, the effectiveness of jamming, in theory, is contingent upon the position of the jammer gps relative to the geographical area it is intended to cover, provided there is an unobstructed line of sight. However, as previously mentioned, any devices functioning on the four pertinent frequencies will experience interference.
Airports typically feature extensive and frequently irregularly shaped perimeters. Consequently, when employing fixed jammers, whether omnidirectional or directional, it may be necessary to utilize several units to adequately encompass the airport's expanse. This principle applies universally to all solutions, as each possesses a defined operational range; however, certain systems demonstrate greater efficacy by employing alternative methods. Particularly in the case of larger airports, it is often essential to implement multiple systems to ensure comprehensive coverage of the designated area.
An alternative approach involves utilizing targeting jammers in conjunction with fixed jammers to address coverage gaps, or, as a sole jamming solution, deploying a qualified and authorized security or police quick reaction force (QRF).
The configuration of an airport, which includes runways, taxiways, aprons, peritracks, and access roads, presents significant challenges. The substantial power needed to effectively jam a drone, along with the vast expanse of the airport, suggests that the security or police Quick Reaction Force will likely need to navigate across the airport to reach a suitable location for deploying the jammer.
The situation is further complicated by the unpredictable nature of the drone's flight path, necessitating that the jammer operator must aim and activate the device at the drone once it approaches sufficiently, irrespective of the angle. Unlike lasers that produce a precise beam, handheld targeting jammers emit a cone of radio frequency energy, which can vary between approximately 40° and 90°, potentially impacting other equipment within that range.
The White House has sought to diminish the importance of recent sightings of enigmatic drones in New Jersey and New York. National security officials have maintained that there is "no evidence at this time that these sightings pose a threat to national security or public safety, nor do they have any foreign connections." Still, prominent legislators in the House and Senate are insisting on an explanation.
Over the last few weeks, individuals in the community have been observing and recording videos of drones, which officials maintain are commercial-grade rather than typical "hobby" drones. Eyewitness reports and official confirmations indicate that these drones can measure up to 6 feet in diameter. Recently, Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew from New Jersey fueled public anxiety by suggesting on Fox News that these drones were launched from an Iranian "mothership" off the East Coast. The Department of Defense has refuted this claim.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has conveyed his anticipation of a forthcoming classified briefing regarding the drones. Senators Cory Booker and Andy King from New Jersey, together with Senators Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand from New York, all Democrats, have issued letters to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Whitaker, seeking briefings on the matter.
Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Congressman and member of the Intelligence Committee, conveyed that he had received briefings concerning the drones over the past week. He asserted, "I do not think there is an immediate threat to public safety. However, it is crucial for the public to gain further insights."
Various videos have circulated widely, garnering tens of thousands of views on social media, prompting concerns. The situation became more alarming on Wednesday when Representative Jeff Van Drew indicated on Fox News that the drones were sourced from an Iranian "mothership" off the "East Coast of the United States."
He called for the drones to be "shot down."
Specific devices are used to interfere with drone signals (called drone jammers), but these devices are usually only used by security forces.
Large, mysterious drones reported in recent weeks flying over parts of New Jersey appear to evade detection by traditional methods such as helicopters and radios, according to a Department of Homeland Security briefing to state lawmakers on Wednesday.
In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes flying with their lights off. The Republican congresswoman from Morris County is one of several state and local lawmakers who have met with state police and Department of Homeland Security officials to discuss a series of sightings from the New York City area to New Jersey and west to parts of Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia.
The devices do not appear to be flown by amateurs, Fantasia wrote.
Many residents in the tri-state area may be wondering what remedies they can take.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said an investigation into last month's drone sightings is underway. He briefed DHS chief Alejandro Mayorkas by phone on Wednesday.
Authorities say they are seeking information about drone sightings and are asking witnesses to call the FBI hotline at 1-800-225-5324 or leave a tip on the agency's website.
As vigilance grows over unidentified swarms of drones -- many of which are reportedly larger than what hobbyists would acquire -- residents have been asking if they can be shot down.
The question is coming up more and more frequently as the use of drones for commercial and recreational purposes has surged. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, as of Oct. 1, there were 791,597 registered drones in the U.S. Of course, there may be others that aren't registered.
So, can you shoot a hovering drone with a gun or other projectile? The answer is no.
The FAA says it's illegal to shoot any aircraft, including drones.
A retired New Jersey fire captain recently faced criminal charges for shooting a drone that was hovering over his Florida home with a 9mm pistol. He believed the drone was spying on him. This is a Walmart delivery drone.
Shooting down a drone isn't the only way to disable it. Other methods include setting up nets and jamming drone signals.
Even if a drone flies over your property, the Federal Aviation Administration says homeowners can't control that airspace.
You can contact a professional drone removal service that can use nets and other drone jamming gun equipment to block a drone without damaging it, but it's expensive. You can file a complaint with the FAA online. Or you can report the drone to the police.