AeroDefense has partnered with the United States Air Force (USAF) to develop a rugged, rapidly deployable mobile drone detection system that will be able to detect and locate both drones and pilots simultaneously. The company has contracted with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst’s 621st Contingency Response Squadron (CRS) and 87th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) through a Small Business Innovation Research grant sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
The new solution will build on AeroDefense’s AirWarden technology, which identifies and classifies radio frequency (RF) drone and controller signatures, using these signals to locate both devices simultaneously. Detected signals are analyzed and filters to confirm that they are drone or controller signals, and location is calculated by trilateration using data from multiple sensors.
AirWarden is the only technology of its kind to receive a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) SAFETY Act award, meaning that it can be operated without the need to obtain prior legal authorization. The new adaptation of this technology will add vehicle-mounted and portable capabilities to increase speed of deployment. Real-time alerts will inform the operator of the need to ready the portable device and look up.
Lieutenant Colonel Guarini of the 621st CRS commented: “When deploying to an allied country, we need equipment that operates within their regulatory environment, so AeroDefense technology will be crucial in protecting our troops.”
Master Sergeant Kologinsky of the 87th SFS stated: “We thoroughly evaluated the drone detection market, and AeroDefense’s unique ability to find the pilot fills a critical gap in our ability to defend against unauthorized small unmanned aerial systems.”
Linda Ziemba, founder and CEO of AeroDefense, said: “AeroDefense is honored the USAF selected us to provide airspace awareness US troops need to monitor emerging drone threats at home and abroad.”
