Net guns and energy rays to foil drones at Grand Prix
FORMULA 1 bosses have brought in the latest anti-drone technology to protect Lewis Hamilton and other drivers from Islamic State terrorists at this year’s British Grand Prix.
Race officials fear that jihadis could use drones carrying explosives to attack drivers and spectators at the Silverstone racetrack.
So to counter the threat, security guards with electronic jammers and net guns will be on patrol before and during the race, which will be attended by tens of thousands of fans on Sunday, July 16.
The move is in response to IS using drones to drop bombs on UK-backed forces in Syria and Iraq – and the
They’ve been used to drop bombs in Syria
danger posed by ‘lone wolf’ jihadis who could buy a drone online or on a British high street.
Last night, Silverstone officials confirmed that they have hired the British company Drone Defence to cover the race. The firm’s founder, Richard Gill, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Outdoor events, festivals and sporting venues are all very attractive targets for rogue drone users. And when you consider that a lot of events have low-flying aircraft too, then the impact of a drone could be significant.’
The motorsports venue in Northamptonshire will become Europe’s largest heliport during the Grand Prix, and organisers fear that a drone could be flown into the rotors of a helicopter carrying participants or spectators. In an attempt to identify drones near the racetrack, Mr Gill’s team will use ultrasonic microphones, vi deo f eeds and near- i nfrared sensors. These are effective up to a range of one-and-a-quarter mile.
Any drone posing a threat to life will be destroyed using the hand-held jammers. Security guards can fire a disruptive radio beam to interfere with the drone’s controls and navigation frequencies. The jammers also prevent whoever is flying the drone from regaining control of it.
As a last resort, guards will have carbon dioxide-powered net guns, which can fire a net measuring 30 square feet into the air to catch and down a drone.
Risks posed by rogue drones are growing as the technology develops. In 2015 a drone carrying radioactive sand from the Fukushima nuclear plant landed on top of the Japanese prime minister’s offices in Tokyo.