Detecting and Destroying Drones: Emerging Technologies and Challenges
As drones become increasingly prevalent for both commercial and military use, the need to effectively detect and neutralize unauthorized or hostile drones has taken on new urgency. Recent developments, particularly amid conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, have accelerated innovation in drone countermeasures. However, the complexity and cost of drone defense present ongoing challenges for governments, military forces, and civilian sectors alike.
Rising Demand for Drone Defense Solutions
In Aalborg, northern Denmark, the company MyDefence has experienced a surge in interest for its drone jamming equipment. CEO Dan Hermansen explains that their typical clientele, previously focused heavily on defense firms and NATO military, has broadened dramatically. Increasingly, critical infrastructure operators and large companies seek to protect their assets from drones that may pose security risks.
MyDefence’s device works by detecting communication signals between a drone and its pilot and jamming these frequencies with powerful radio waves. Instead of crashing, drones lose connection and are forced into controlled landings, including when GPS signals are disabled. Hermansen estimates that this radio frequency jamming disrupts control of about 80 to 90 percent of drones encountered.
The Challenge of Drone Detection
Before a drone can be disabled, it must first be identified—an inherently difficult task. Kasper Hallenborg, director at the University of Southern Denmark’s Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, notes that detection is a two-step process: identification followed by interception. However, as Andreas Graae of the Danish Defence Academy points out, drones vary greatly in size and often incorporate materials like plastic or fabric, making radar detection challenging.
To counter this, a combination of technologies are employed:
- Acoustic sensors pick up the characteristic buzzing sounds of drone motors.
- High-resolution optical cameras visually track and identify drones.
- Sophisticated tactical radars operating at longer ranges can differentiate drones from birds and other flying objects.
Evolving Threats and Tactical Adaptations
The ongoing war in Ukraine has highlighted rapid advancements in both drone usage and countermeasures. Electronic jamming on Ukrainian frontlines has caused drone controllers to lose contact with their machines, forcing adversaries to adapt. Russian and Ukrainian forces now deploy drones operated via fiber optic cables or programmed for autonomous navigation, which are impervious to traditional jamming methods.
In response, companies like Sweden’s Nordic Air Defence are developing interceptor drones capable of physically striking hostile drones, forcing them to crash. Business director Jens Holzapfel describes their low-cost interceptor as missile-shaped, highly maneuverable, and 3D printed—allowing for rapid, affordable production.
The Cost Factor in Drone Countermeasures
Cost effectiveness is a critical consideration in drone defense. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte recently underscored the problem: using expensive missiles to shoot down inexpensive drones is not sustainable. As hostile drones become cheaper, defenders must innovate low-cost, scalable solutions.
The use of electronic jamming and interception tools remains regulated, typically confined to police and defense agencies. Civilian operators must navigate these legal and safety constraints when considering counter-drone systems.
Civilian and Infrastructure Implications
Hostile drone activities are not confined to battlefields. Several European countries, including Poland, Romania, Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, and Germany, have reported incursions into their airspace or incidents at sensitive sites such as airports. Denmark, for instance, has responded by deploying multiple detection and jamming systems at airports and military bases.
However, disabling drones in civilian areas poses risks, as falling debris or malfunctioning drones can cause damage or injury. Hallenborg warns that shooting down drones recklessly can be dangerous, referencing incidents in Poland where drone fragments caused property damage.
Emerging Soft-Kill and Management Approaches
Rather than physically destroying drones, alternatives like hacking are gaining traction. By taking control of a drone digitally, authorities can safely land it. Other methods include deploying nets to capture drones and developing affordable laser systems to disable them without collateral damage.
Critically, experts advocate for an integrated drone traffic management system. This would involve electronic “license plates” for drones and mandatory flight registration. Such a system would enable rapid distinction between authorized and rogue drones, improving response efficiency and reducing false alarms.
Looking Ahead
As drone technology evolves and proliferates, so too will the landscape of drone defense. Military and law enforcement agencies remain the primary users of counter-drone technology today, but civilian sectors such as shipping, oil, and offshore industries are emerging markets. Balancing effective protection with public safety, cost efficiency, and regulatory compliance will define the future of drone detection and destruction.
This article was updated on 23 October to clarify that the use of drone jamming and interception tools is regulated and generally restricted to authorized agencies.
