First Operational Use of Israeli Drone Defender System Unveiled

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The threat posed by drones against critical infrastructure has become more and more widespread. The recent attack against Russian forces in Syria is only one example. IMI Systems developed a new technology that was already applied in the field.

They recently exposed the first operational use of an Israeli drone defender system for sensitive strategic perimeters. In the end of October 2017, the Red Sky 2 Drone Defender System of IMI Systems protected thousands of participants in the royal funeral ceremony of the former King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). The system protected the various funeral events,  ensuring a clean aerial security zone free from threats until the departure of the last guest of the five days’ ceremony, which was attended by senior members of the Thai royal family, quarter million Thais and representatives from 42 different countries around the world.

Four mobile Red Sky 2 Drone Defender System were purchased by the Thai Air Force in September. The system was operated throughout the various events by a Thai Air Force personnel that was trained by IMI System’s team of experts in operating the system, and provided comprehensive protection against drones’ infiltration to the various funeral ceremonies held in the Bangkok as well as to the Thailand’s International Airport Don Muang, the airport arrivals and departures zone, the airport terminal and the VVIP area, according to the company’s announcement.

The Red Sky 2 Drone Defender system was designed to detect, disrupt and neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) engaged in a potentially malicious activity or hostile airborne surveillance missions. The system combines a drones’ detection radar of Elta and an advanced jamming system of MCTECH, which prevents drones infiltrating into sensitive locations such as stadiums, airports, secured compounds, military bases etc. and can protect VIPs against attacks by neutralizing the UAV’s before carrying out their hostile missions.

The comprehensive solution provided by Red Sky 2 includes detecting and identifying hostiles, automatic tracking, disrupting abilities, and locking and neutralizing threats, and is based on an advanced radar for detecting and neutralizing aerial objects at a range of 3 to 5 km, an advanced electro-optical thermal camera for investigating and identifying threats and a multi-directional capability for locking on targets.

Available as an active or reactive system (that operates only after triggering an alarm when the unfamiliar object reaches an aerial security zone), Red Sky 2 can be integrated into the defense array of sensitive facilities in urban areas and/or other and can be installed on a vehicle to protect maneuvering forces across the battlefield against aircrafts and drones.