TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE: WILL ALL AIRPORTS NOW GET DRONE-BUSTERS?
THIS is the array of anti-drone technology that helped to reopen Gatwick – but only after almost 36 hours of chaos.
None of the detection and tracking devices was in place when the drama began, so the kit had to be acquired from the military and brought to the airport in West Sussex.
Once in place, the equipment allowed its experts to scan the skies for rogue drones and reopen the runways once the coast was clear.
However, it appears that the authorities did not use an ‘electronic attack’ system to down the drone by jamming its signals.
The Ministry of Defence bought an Israel-made ‘Drone Dome’ counter- UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) system in the summer. It features jamming technology but the apparatus, which can even be fitted with a high-pressure water gun, was not seen in action at Gatwick. Only the military are allowed to use frequency interference, although it has been tried in prisons to stop inmates using mobile phones.
It is not known how many UK airports currently have any sort of anti-drone system in place, but there have been tests in recent years.
A drones law would make it easier for airports to use jamming technology regularly as well as creating an ‘electronic fence’ to keep them out. Given the chaos at Gatwick, airport bosses and Ministers are certain to come under pressure to ensure counter-drone systems are put in place across the UK.