DRONE WARFARE
Device to lay ‘em low during Games
QUEENSLAND police will be able to shoot down drones during the Commonwealth Games with technology used to fight ISIS in the Middle East.
QUEENSLAND police will be able to shoot down drones during the Commonwealth Games with technology used to fight ISIS in the Middle East.
Sydney-based security company DroneShield worked with police for about 12 months teaching officers how to handle the “drone guns”, which use technology rather than bullets to disable drones instantly.
“It cuts the signal between the operator and the drone, so the drone can’t hear,” said DroneShield chairman Peter James.
The guns can take control of remote-controlled drones within a 2km radius.
“The gun takes control of the GPS and either cuts it so the drone doesn’t know where it is or it will take control of the GPS and send it back where it came from,” Mr James said.
He said the company was working with authorities in Australia, France, The Hague, Paraguay, South Korea and the US.
The devices were also used at the 2017 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii and the Boston Marathon for three years.
“The world of security, police and warfare used to be about kinetic energy, that is things that went bang,” Mr James said. “It is becoming more about electronic energy.
“(ISIS cells) are effectively getting drones off the shelves and strapping grenades to them and terrorising forces (in the Middle East).”
Queensland police said: “The QPS will use a range of capabilities including DroneShield’s DroneGun to detect, and disrupt unauthorised drone activity during GC2018 to ensure the safety and security of the public.”
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski urged people to “leave your drone at home” during the Games.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is already enforcing airspace restrictions in parts of the city with more restrictions expected.
Police said drone users could be fined up to $250,000 during the Games.
“The bottom line is of course we’re planning around every contingency for security of the Commonwealth Games,” Deputy Commissioner Gollschewski said.
“Any details around the kinds of technology we would use is not something we’d discuss publicly other than to give the community assurance we’re across this issue and that we have planning in place to be able to deal with this across the games and ensure their safety.”
Police said the drone guns showcased the capabilities of the local defence industry.
“The Commonwealth Games event is a pre-eminent gathering of about 6600 athletes from about 70 countries,” said a police statement announcing the deal with DroneShield.
“Consequently, security agencies are providing the highest level of security at the event.”
“The QPS is able to rely on a product developed by an Australian company, that is dedicated to developing a more substantial relationship with a range of Australian federal and state police and security agencies.”