How Radar Systems are Revolutionizing Airspace Security Against Rogue Drones

There’s no denying drones have become an indispensable part of recreational and even pragmatic applications. However, the skyrocketing usage of UAVs and drone proliferation in different industry verticals has raised security concerns for security personnel. The entry of unauthorized drones into restricted airspace can compromise national security, and to counter this emerging threat, drone detectors, especially UAV detection radars have become the need of the hour. How? Well, here’s a guide to help you get started! 

Understanding the threat of rogue drones

The first step in tackling the rogue drone threat is to understand what it is and how it can impact us. A rogue drone can range anywhere from a hobbyist instrument, which is flown irresponsibly, to morbid uses, such as espionage, smuggling, and terrorist plots. Unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles can infiltrate various high-security areas such as airports, government facilities, and critical infrastructure, thus being a significant threat to public safety and national security. 

Radar Technology

Due to the radar’s ability to detect and monitor the sky’s objects at high precision and accuracy, it serves as a backbone of drone detection systems. Radar sensors are more reliable than conventional methodologies like visual observation or acoustics because they can track and detect drones in various weather conditions and lighting scenarios. Radar systems that emit radio waves and analyze the reflections of objects in the airspace are capable of detecting drones at long ranges and communicating the real-time situation of the airspace to the authorities. 

Types of Radar Systems for Drone Detection

Several radar systems are utilized for drone detection, and each has its unique capability and functionality. Primary radar systems such as the pulse-Doppler radar use transmitted pulses to detect the target and track targets according to the radar cross-section. Secondary radar systems, which include the Mode S and Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, rely on transponders on aircraft and drones to detect drones and get their identification numbers and other data. For instance, passive radar systems use existing signals, such as radio or television broadcasts, to detect drones without emitting detectable signals. 

Advancements in Radar Technology

The features that have been incorporated into more recent radar systems to boost their functionality include digital signal processing, multi-static operation, and synthetic aperture radar imaging. Together, these aspects have been used to improve the accuracy of detection, reduce false positives, and differentiate drones from other aerial objects. Coupled with sensors such as electro-optical and acoustic, the technology combination has increased the capacity of the systems to secure the airspace and assess the threats they are designed to monitor. 

Conclusion

Several government facilities have already resorted to drone radar detection and drone tracking systems to protect sensitive airspaces, and this is rightfully indispensable. However, the detection systems should be efficient enough to provide accurate results and offer incident response promptly. With drones becoming increasingly sophisticated, the need for drone detecting and tracking systems to be foolproof and evolve has also magnified. They are looking for a drone radar detector to safeguard critical airspace? NovoQuad Group has a range of state-of-the-art anti-drone solutions for diverse scenarios. Need more help, or want an estimate? Check out their website today!