New Player in Counter-Drone Technology

New Player in Counter-Drone Technology

Photo illus. by Pixabay no drone sign

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Italy has been increasingly active in drone detection and neutralization technology. Its military is testing the use of direct-energy beams in blasting hostile or unauthorized drones from the skies. The leading sources of those thus far are microwaves and lasers.

Italian air force officials said the use of the technology to zap offensive drones has and continues to progress rapidly. That research is underway at the air force’s unmanned aerial vehicle center of excellence at the Amendola Air Base in southern Italy. 

Italy’s anti-drone tools will be demonstrated next October, when they join other NATO partners to put their respective experimental kinetic devices.

Members of Italy’s military and defense sector have become active in developing drone-related technologies. The Leonardo group supplies Italian and British forces with anti-drone platforms. The firm is currently developing more powerful algorithms as well as passive radar approaches to better identify suspect drones.

Rather than the usual radar process of emitting pings that eventually bounce back, the passive method uses the countless ambient signals crowding the air today – TV, radio, cell phone, connected car waves, for example – that deflect off targeted craft as they pass. The smart algorithms, meanwhile, are being perfected to differentiate drones from other airborne objects – including birds – and also distinguish which, if any, craft in a swarm may be transporting a weapon.

Dual use technology: As elsewhere, anti-drone development by the armed forces and private groups in Italy has been primarily focused on military applications. But with the rapidly spreading popularity and use of smaller commercial drones, that research has become a two-track affair. Any solutions pursued for defense purposes are now usually designed to be adaptable civil operation like protecting airports and restricted urban airspace, according to dronedj.com.