Anglo-French consortium to develop anti-UAV system

[Ed Roo]

from flightglobal.com

A consortium of British and French companies has signed an agreement to develop a counter-unmanned air vehicle system.

The UAV Watch and Catch System (UWAS) radar-based system will be developed by JCPX Development, DSNA Services, Aveillant, Skysoft and ENAC, and will detect and track UAVs that weigh less than 25kg (55lb).

The system will be offered in both mobile and fixed configurations, while the consortium claims that the technology that will be incorporated is already compliant and certificated by civil aviation authorities, and will be a turnkey system based on Aveillant’s H24 radar system.

H24 will be able to detect, identify and track small UAVs at ranges up to 5nm (9km), and “has the ability to retrospectively derive the point of origin to facilitate arrest and prosecution of those responsible”, the companies say.

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Additionally, a ground-based optical tracking system will be incorporated, plus one or more tracing, tracking and interception vectors and a command and control monitoring interface.

UWAS joins a raft of other similar offerings that are coming to the market for this application, including the Anti-UAV Defence System (AUDS) from Blighter Surveillance Systems, Chess Dynamics and Enterprise Control Systems. Thales is also involved in a French national research agency-run 18-month development programme, Angelas, as well as developing in-house technology of this kind.

The AUDS consortium and Thales are both understood to have demonstrated technology for the French Ministry of Defence that has a competition to acquire a system to counter unwelcome UAVs flying near critical infrastructure and above crowds.

[Ronald Jackson]

A drone operator picked up by the cops this week after flying one over Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club. Can carry other things apart from cameras of course and even "unarmed" can be dangerous if not lethal if flown into a crowd or at a person.

Ron

[John Nantz]

A hobby drone flying over the Lake Fire in San Bernadino County, California, a wild fire that engulfed tens of thousands of acres, caused a DC-10 plane and two smaller planes that drop fire retardant to abort their missions. The result was that the fire grew and it was in an area where it was threatening homes.

What these drone operators don’t seem to realize is their little drone is just a speck in the sky and is very difficult (almost impossible) to spot by a pilot. Their little toy can easily bring down a larger aircraft and, for someone who wants to be a terrorist, maybe that is what they would like to do.

[Ed Roo]

Drones Pose Threat To Firefighters, Wildfire Managers Say

Drones Pose Threat To Firefighters, Wildfire Managers Say
FOREST FIRE FIREFIGHTER US

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Drones flying over wildfires could lead to firefighter injuries and force retardant bombers to be called off, wildfire managers say.

At least three drones have flown within or near restricted airspace intended for wildfire fighting aircraft so far this year, the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise announced Friday. That's up from one incident last year.

"We're seeing an increase in people wanting to film from a distance with hobby aircraft," said spokesman Mike Ferris, noting wildfires are often buzzing with low-flying planes and helicopters. "If you had one of these would you fly it near an airport?"

In June, a drone was spotted at the Two Bulls Fire near Bend in central Oregon. Drones have also been spotted at a fire in Washington state that destroyed hundreds of homes, and another that went aloft at a Northern California wildfire.

"Anytime that that happens, folks working these fires are going to feel compromised and they're not going to want to fly until they're sure the airspace is safe to fly in," said Aitor Bidaburu, chair of the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group at the center. "We have enough hazards on the ground."

Managers said tankers trying to make drops to protect firefighters or homes might have to turn away if a drone is in the area.

The Federal Aviation Administration allows hobbyists to use model aircraft or small drones as long as they keep them away from airports, fly them under 400 feet and keep the aircraft within sight of the remote-controlling operator at all times.

However, wildfires typically have temporary flight restrictions that extend up and out from the fire so helicopters and retardant aircraft can do drops without worrying about other aircraft. The restrictions include small drones.

"If they're going to be flying these things, they need to educate themselves," Ferris said.

Those seeking to fly drones near wildfires might be able to do so legally, but they would first need permission from wildfire managers. The center said individuals using drones that interfere with firefighting efforts could face civil penalties and criminal prosecution.

Center spokesman Randy Eardley said some state agencies fly drones over fires to find hotspots, but the operators are communicating with wildfire managers.

"The problem with these hobbyists and recreationists is we have no communication with them," he said.

[Greg Boston]

Originally Posted by John Nantz

Their little toy can easily bring down a larger aircraft and, for someone who wants to be a terrorist, maybe that is what they would like to do.

Let's dial back on the FUD a little bit.

-gb-

[Mark Koha]

It's being developed by Skysoft? That sounds too close to Skynet. I don't trust it.