There’s no real need to go into the numbers. We all know someone with a drone, there’s millions and millions of them worldwide and the numbers are only going to grow as well as their abilities. They are cheap, easy to buy and can fulfill some incredible tasks.

Drone technology also outpaces the laws governing their use and this creates an uncomfortable scenario. As we have seen in the past, great, useful technology can at some point also be used for harm and undesirable purposes and superyacht owners are fully aware of the growing threat that drones pose to privacy, safety & security on board their yachts.

When you have what is essentially an impressive display of wealth sitting alone in the water, and the mass availability and low barrier to entry for drones, the temptation for others to pry or breach security is a real threat. Paparazzi intrusion using drones approaching superyachts is already a recognised and growing problem.

As Droneworks Studios shows in the video below, anti-drone technology is already being used on superyachts, with Droneworks detailing their experience flying a drone near billionaire Roman Abramovich’s superyacht, Eclipse. Skip to the 3:50 mark to get to the main part.

So what has been developed to date as a counter measure against possible drone incursions and how do they work?

Firstly – Anti drone systems need to detect them
Secondly – Identify them
Thirdly – Track them (and record if possible for later prosecution of offenders)
Fourth – Disable/Disrupt the drone from operating in the undesired area.

So how are drones and UAV’s disabled and disrupted once detected?

Consumer drones are usually controlled through the public part of the radio spectrum (either 2.4 or 5.8 GHz). Firing radio waves at those specific frequencies—jamming them—makes a drone deaf to its controller, which would cause the drone to return home or settle to the ground. A similar outcome would occur if you jammed the GPS frequency or what’s called the low-frequency L-band.

If a drone approaches within a certain distance of a prohibited zone, most of the below systems would jam its WI-Fi and sever its connection to its controller over the 2.4 or 5.8 GHz range. If the drone keeps coming that would mean it had been programmed to attack or infiltrate, and at that point the system would jam its GPS frequencies.

So what are some of the currently available systems?

Martek Marine – M.A.D.S systems

Martek Anti-Drone have developed the M.A.D.S™ (marine anti drone system). M.A.D.S™ is a modular system which is capable of detecting all drones within a 5km range while providing you with accurate GPS positioning of both drone and pilot and the option to defeat a drone should it be deemed a threat. M.A.D.S is a flexible marinised system with great benefits for the maritime market and can be used for any application related to water; yachts, ships, ports, sea platforms, coastguard vessels, navy vessels and much more

The system comprises of two radomes, one to detect, and one to defeat drones. “In the defeat dome, there are a lot of modules with antennas, and in the detection dome, there are omni- and directional-sensing modules with antennas,” says Erik van Wilsum, Martek’s head of counter-­unmanned aircraft ­systems. “We’re aiming for the best base solution with a single type of sensor,” and customers can add other ­sensors. “We don’t interfere with the yacht’s other communications, We evoke the drone to go home by creating a busy network. … It’s legal and CE-approved.”

The system can also be complimented with a portable drone disruptor.

M.A.D.S Key Features:

• 5 km drone detection range
• 5 km drone identification range
• 1 km drone disruption (defeat) range
• 2 x 70cm diameter radomes
• Specially marinised IP66 Ingress protection rated
• 30 kg and 27 kg radome weights
• Extra handheld disruptor also available

OTHER SYSTEMS THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE ADAPTED FOR SUPERYACHTS:

BlackSage UASX-L7 Automatic Drone Disruptor

UASX-L7 Key Features:

• 7 km drone detection range
• 3 km automated drone identification range
• 3 km drone disruption (defeat) range
• Recording When a UAS operator is charged criminally, forensics data with instant replay showing flight paths, aircraft characteristics and timestamps will ensure successful prosecution.
• Illuminators and lasers are also available to deny imagery capture of sensitive sites.

Black Sage TD1 Tactical Drone Disruptor.

The BlackSage TD1 handheld tactical disruptor is a lightweight, flexible and rapidly deployable platform for directional radio disruption. An AR15 training rifle base (non-ITAR) provides a familiar user interface requiring no learning curve to use. Pick up the rifle, select from multiple disruption frequencies and address the target with confidence. The TD1 can be deployed within seconds and requires minimal training. Compared to mounted and automated anti-drone systems the BS-500 is lightweight, compact, flexible and very affordable. 

TD1 Key Features:

• Portable
• Lightweight
• Multiple customizable disruption frequencies

ELTA Systems ELI-4030 Drone Guard

ELTA’s Drone Guard is an operationally proven multi-sensor multi-layer C-UAS solution developed for the military and homeland security market. Military grade and rugged for all types of environments, the Drone Guard is a modular turn-key solution that covers all aspects of counter threatening UAS. Portable, light weight and with low power consumption, the Drone Guard is user friendly and intuitive making it an ideal option for a wide range of users and agencies. The modules were developed by ELTA specifically for Drone Guard hence creating a compact solution solely focused on drone detection and protection.

4030 Drone Guard Key Features:

• 4.5 km drone detection range
• 4.5 km Tracking range
• 2.5 km automated drone identification range
• 2 km drone disruption (defeat) range

NON FREQUENCY JAMMING – DRONE DESTROYING OPTIONS:

Boeing HEL MD

Boeing thinks a great way to defeat a drone is not just to disrupt its motion, but hit it with a precision laser, burn a hole in it, and bring it down.

In August of 2015, Boeing showed off its Compact Laser Weapon System for media in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the demo, Boeing used the laser to burn holes in a stationary, composite UAV shell, to show how fast it can compromise an aircraft. Two seconds at full power and the target was on fire. The 2 kilowatt infrared laser has no visible beam and does not create a Hollywood style explosion. Instead the surface of the drone is super-heated by the invisable laser until it melts or catches fire.

Boeing hasn’t specified its range, but acording to Wired, Boeing company representatives suggested that if you can see a target, even with binoculars, you can destroy it.

Depending on the target’s speed and distance, Boeing’s weapon can fire its laser within an inch or two of what it wants to hit. Because the laser moves at the speed of light, it’s easier to be precise—there’s no need to lead the target. The speed of the gimbal is the primary limitation on the targeting front.

Although current HEL MD prototypes are meant to be used from static positions, the anti drone system could be used on a moving vehicle or ship with minimal upgrades. “This represents a low-cost way to deal with the threat,” said David DeYoung, director of Boeing Laser & Electro-Optical Systems. Boeing hasn’t revealed a total price of the system, but does say it’s a one off purchase. Once you’ve got the system, the only cost is providing the power.

HEL MD Key Features:

• Unspecified detection range
• Unspecified destroying range
• 2 kw infrared laser
• 1-2 inch accuracy