Anti-drone systems, otherwise known as counter-UAV systems (C-UAS), refer to the technology and techniques used to detect and defeat drone activity in controlled airspace. Businesses and law enforcement agencies need to safeguard their facilities from unwanted drone interference involving potentially malicious activities to prevent unauthorized use.

Need for Antidrone Systems

The use of commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has increased in popularity over the past few years. Businesses use them for mapping, surveying, videography, volumetric estimation, asset management, and more.

A lot of people also use them for their fun and recreational enjoyment. However, others who have malicious intentions have begun using drones to smuggle drugs, alcohol, and weapons into prisons.

Due to the malicious intentions of certain people, counter-drone systems are being developed by various institutions such as governments and private companies to neutralize drones that are illegally invading restricted areas. These systems use multiple methods to neutralize drones, such as disabling them, shooting them, or bringing them down with nets.

Drones are a mainstay on the modern battlefield. We can use drones for everything from reconnaissance to dropping bombs.

Working of Antidrone Systems

The drawbacks of drones are that they are relatively easy to take down. Anti-drone systems can be designed to interfere with the drone’s signal, force it to land, or take it down. They are usually mounted on vehicles or deployed strategically on the ground.

Some radar and thermal detectors trigger an alarm/alert to notify security personnel, who then take the drone down. Some shoot them down, and others disable and land the drone for inspection. Some methods cause little or no damage to the drone and its payload, while others can destroy it.

Anti-drone systems can also shoot nets at the UAV to capture it or use lasers or 'jamming' equipment to take control of the UAV. There are even laser weapons designed to bring the drones down. A few anti-drone systems use projectiles to shoot the drone down. The drones usually are flown at high altitudes and are moving swiftly. Therefore, these systems have to work quickly, effectively, and reliably.

A few anti-drone systems use sensors to detect UAVs, identify threats using electro-optical/infrared imagery and RF emissions, and neutralize the threat posed by unidentified UAVs. Some of the other anti-drone systems use sensor suites and software that enable operators to detect, identify, and track UAVs and take pre-emptive action to eliminate the threat posed by the UAV.

Counter-UAV technology is an indispensable and popular addition to a modern military arsenal. There will be a lot of benefits to using them once they become more affordable and easy to use. Countries need to invest in counter UAS technology such as jammers and spoofers to walk through certain areas where the industry has not yet invested or has gaps because of their lack of knowledge on the new trend.

Antidrone Technologies

• Advanced Test High Energy Asset (ATHENA)
• Drone Gun
• Skyfense Systems
• Thor
• Phaser
• Skywall100
• GPS Spoofers
• Birds of Prey

Counter-UAS (Anti-Drone) Market

The unmanned industry has been rapidly growing. The growth has increased due to the decrease in the drone’s size, weight, cost, advances in battery life, and improvement in autonomous control function of various unmanned systems.

Drones are also being adopted across the globe for various applications and to achieve particular tasks such as deliveries, transportation of materials, infrastructure, telecommunication, media and entertainment, and farming.

Presently, about one million drones are registered with FAA, and the number is increasing day by day. With a huge number of drones in the air, an efficient detection system can significantly alleviate potential risks associated with drone usage.

The global counter-UAS (anti-drone) market is estimated to reach $6.44 billion in 2031 from $1.57 billion in 2021, at a growth rate of 15.18% during the forecast period 2021-2031.

The global counter-UAS (anti-drone) market is expected to be dominated by the defense end-user segment on account of the rising need for such solutions at military bases.

During the forecast period, North America is expected to account for the largest share in the global counter-UAS (anti-drone) market. This growth can be attributed to increased spending by countries on counter-UAS (anti-drone) solutions and the growing need for counter UAS solutions across a broad number of industries, including defense, smart cities, and infrastructure.

The continuous advancement in technologies by key players also contributes to this growth. It creates greater awareness among end clients about the technological advancements being offered by major vendors to develop innovative ways of integrating them into their existing defense strategies.