Do you know that in 2020 Azerbaijan used drones extensively to win the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War? Drones have been equipped with high combat capabilities which is why they are being used in contemporary armed conflicts.
Starting off with a few experimental prototypes the technological advancement of drones followed an exponential growth curve. It has generated excitement among the public which led to widespread adoption. Nowadays we can notice that the usage of consumer and commercial drones has increased significantly.
The unique tech of drones can be utilized in both ethical and unethical ways. In the last two decades, we have witnessed four major misuse of drones and these are:
- Espionage,
- Terrorism,
- Smuggling,
- Airspace violations
Illegal activities using drones are a huge threat to national security. By addressing the concern governments employ drone jamming technology to neutralize threats by disrupting the communication between the drone and its controller.
In this blog, we will discuss how drone jamming works, and its role in national security.
The Rising Threat of Unauthorized Drones in Nations
As we are here to discuss the significance of drone jamming technology, let’s begin by addressing the rising threats of unauthorized drones.
Military and Security Concerns
The purpose of the reconnaissance drones is to gather confidential as well as high-value information by air. Collecting information and intelligence by drones is preferable because human operators can complete their mission without any risk of getting themselves exposed or damaged.
Commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are weaponized by getting them equipped with dangerous explosives to crash them into targets. These are considered combat drones that offer unique tactical advantages. For example: Combat drones are being used extensively in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Preventing terrorist organizations from using emerging technologies is extremely important. They misuse the technological advancement of combat drones. Terrorist organizations use these combat drones to carry explosives to execute terror attacks and conduct surveillance.
Civilian and Commercial Drone Threats
Drones are being used to smuggle illicit drugs, weapons, and contraband across borders. The ability to carry small yet valuable cargo over long distances has made drones a highly preferable device. It has become a major concern for law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Drones operating close to government infrastructure are considered a threat. Aviation travel has been disrupted with drones flying near the airport causing concern about mid-air crashes.
Through camera-equipped drones invading privacy and collecting confidential information has become very convenient. That’s why cameras equipped with drones are a threat to individuals as well as organizations.
What is Drone Jamming and How Does It Work?
Now let’s discuss drone jamming which prevents all the illegal activities caused by operators with wrong intentions.
The Science Behind Drone Jamming
It is a technological development of drone jamming systems that has been delivering results. The main purpose of drone jammers is to block the communication link between a drone and its operator.
With radio frequency drone jamming procedures, the communication between a drone and the GS can be disrupted because it affects the ability to receive instructions from the controller.
Drone GPS jammers are a type of interference that takes advantage of GNSS receivers (Global Navigation Satellite System). It blocks and disrupts GPS signals making drones lose their GPS navigation system.
Drone spoofing is a cyber-attack technique in which a third party hijacks control over a drone remotely. It involves emitting a false signal to confuse a drone and mislead it to identify the spoofing signal as a legitimate one.
Different Types of Drone Jamming Systems
We have listed 3 major types of drone jamming systems.
Fixed jamming stations: Using the radio frequency technology fixed drone jamming stations disrupt the communication between a drone and its operator. These jamming stations are used to protect sensitive airspace at military bases, government buildings and other high-security areas.
Mobile and handheld jammers: Handheld drone jammers are portable and mostly used by law enforcement and military agencies. They are used to counter illegal drones with a few common features like detection, countermeasure, display, control, and power supply.
Drone-mounted jammers: The purpose of drone-mounted jammers is the same. They are mounted on platforms to detect and disable unauthorized drones.
How Governments Use Drone Jamming for National Security
Governments of multiple nations have taken significant measures to strengthen national security where drone jamming systems are one of the steps.
Military Applications
Jamming enemy drones in active zones is a defensive counterattack by the military of nations. The tactical move prevents enemy drones from entering the military bases and targets critical assets. It also saves the lives of the troops from weaponized combat drones. In modern warfare, technology of drone jammers has become crucial to strengthen defense.
Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism
The governments are also protecting public events, civilians and high-profile targets from unauthorized drones with jamming technology. It was made possible only with high-tech drone detection systems and counter-drone systems. Smuggling by drones has been reduced with the detection system.
Airport and Infrastructure Protection
Flying drones in the controlled airspace is strictly prohibited. Unintentional drones also cause mid-air crashes as they interrupt the air routes for airlines. There have been instances where commercial fights have faced issues in the air. High-definition camera systems provide accurate imaging over a wide area. Basically, the entire system of drone detection and drone counter provides protection against threats.
Drone Jammers are Important to Protect Infrastructure & Safeguard Privacy
Now you know why drone spoofing and jamming are important to protect infrastructure and safeguard privacy. Governments are relying more on drone jammers as a key national security tool. In the future technological advancement will enhance the accuracy of drone jammers. Drone jammers will be loaded with more high-tech features.
Visit our home-page for more information
