The US is going to start taking rogue drones out of the air鈥� by launching its own drones to smash into them.
Attacks using consumer drones are on the rise. In 2017, ISIS forces in Mosul attacked US-backed Iraqi troops with dozens of consumer drones dropping grenades, and earlier this year a swarm of small drones attacked a Russian airbase in Syria.
Such attacks are difficult to counter with existing weapons.聽 Their size makes them difficult targets, and the lack of heat and radar signature makes it difficult for missiles to lock on to them.
Advertisement
The new anti-drone system was displayed at the Pentagon earlier this month. It uses both radar and cameras to detect any potential attacks, and has instruments to detect and jam drone control signals. If jamming fails, there is a computer-controlled machine-gun plus launch tubes for four interceptor drones.
Crash zone
The system can be mounted on a single off-road truck, or on two smaller vehicles.
The interceptor drones are upgraded Coyote drones produced by technology company Raytheon. Each drone weighs 6 kilograms and is launched with compressed air, after which its wings unfold and an electric propeller drives it at up to 130 kilometres per hour. They can cruise for up to two hours, allowing it to patrol for an extended period if needed.
When an incoming drone is targeted, the interceptor is able to target it and crash into it. It is not clear whether the drones will carry an explosive charge, although that is likely. The US Department of Defence has not responded to 快猫短视频鈥檚 request for comment.
The US Air Force is currently working on dogfight tactics for drones, effectively using the same sort of tactical aerobatics as fighter pilots.
Bart Remes, who recently organised DroneClash, a competitive event for drone combat says that firing nets that entangle drones to bring them down is another potential option. 鈥淚t is a safe way, but a really hard way,鈥� he says. 鈥淪low-moving drones can be taken out by this approach, but not aggressive, fast, moving ones yet.鈥�
Remes says simply ramming an attacker may be the most efficient technique. 鈥淥ne of the best ways to take down a drone is to sacrifice your own drone,鈥� says Remes.
