Counter-Drone Solution Installed in Charles de Gaulle Airport

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The risk that commercial drones pose to aircraft is a growing one. The UK Airprox Board, which monitors reported near misses with aircraft, recorded 70 drone-related incidents in 2016, more than double the number in the previous year. Figures up to May 2017 suggest this will rise again. An incident on at Gatwick airport caused the runway to be closed and 5 flights diverted.

Aveillant, a radar technology company, has announced its first airport installation of the Gamekeeper drone detection radar. The installation at Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris comes after successful demonstrations of the system at the Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport.

Working with DSNA Services, a subsidiary of the French Civil Aviation Authority, and Groupe ADP, operator of the three international airports in Paris, Gamekeeper will be the key component of DSNA Service’s Hologarde, a comprehensive counter-drone solution.

According to the Aveillant’s website, the Gamekeeper radar is the only technology to have proven effective in detecting small commercial drones at a range of 5km, and is already operational in Monaco and Singapore.

The radar is able to detect, track and classify small Unmanned Air Systems (sUAS) in full 3 dimensions. With no moving parts, it continuously “floodlights” the entire field of view providing location and velocity of every object detected.

CEO, David Crisp, said “All too often in aviation, adoption of new technology only comes after there has been a serious accident of some sort. This week’s incident at Gatwick airport again highlights the growing danger from drones.

“By working with innovative and progressive organisations such as DSNA Services and Groupe ADP, we are showing the technology is ready right now that can help prevent accidents from ever occurring in the first place. We shouldn’t have to wait for an aircraft to hit a drone to put these measures in place.”