Defending Low-Altitude Security: A Comprehensive Analysis of Anti-Drone Technology

With the explosive growth of the drone industry, its applications in commercial, entertainment, and other fields have become increasingly widespread. However, the accompanying security challenges cannot be ignored. From illegal aerial photography and commercial espionage to potential malicious attacks, drones have become a pressing security issue that demands resolution—and anti-drone technology has emerged as a response.

To address the security and privacy risks arising from the widespread use of drones, a coordinated system of anti-drone products is essential. An integrated solution that combines multiple technologies is known as an anti-drone system. Its core concept is "Detect - Identify - Neutralize," ensuring timely and effective response to drone threats.

All countermeasures begin with accurate perception of the threat. Modern anti-drone systems typically integrate multiple detection technologies to form an invisible defensive network.

• Radio Frequency (RF) Detection: This is one of the most common and effective detection methods. By capturing the radio signals transmitted between a drone and its controller, the system can quickly locate the drone and even identify its model and the controller’s position.

• Radar Detection: Radars specifically designed for low-altitude, slow-moving, and small targets can detect and track drones over a large area around the clock, unaffected by weather or light conditions.

• Electro-Optical (EO) Detection: High-definition cameras and infrared thermal imagers provide visual confirmation. Especially at night or in harsh weather, infrared thermal imaging can clearly detect the heat signature of a drone.

• Acoustic Detection: High-sensitivity microphone arrays monitor the unique acoustic signature of drone propellers, providing supplementary information to the system.

These technologies complement each other, ensuring no drone can escape detection.

Once a drone is identified as a threat, the system immediately activates "soft kill" measures— the most commonly used countermeasures in civilian and commercial scenarios. This method disables drones through non-physical means, avoiding collateral damage that might result from a crash.

• Radio Frequency Jamming: The system emits high-power jamming signals to cut off communication between the drone and its controller. Once the drone "loses contact," it usually follows pre-set protocols to either return to its take-off point automatically or make an emergency landing, allowing for safe neutralization.

• Navigation Signal Spoofing/Jamming: This involves jamming the drone’s navigation signals (such as GPS or Beidou) or transmitting false signals, preventing the drone from achieving precise positioning. This causes the drone to deviate from its route, hover in place, or lose control due to navigation failure.

These technologies aim to resolve threats "peacefully" and are the preferred solutions for locations such as airports, prisons, and large-scale events.

For military or extreme threat scenarios, physical destruction is a necessary option.

• Interception Net Capture: Specialized interception drones can launch a large net to directly capture the intruding drone. This method preserves the drone intact, facilitating subsequent evidence collection and analysis.

• High-Energy Laser Weapons: An emerging and highly effective countermeasure. High-energy laser beams can instantly burn through key components of a drone, causing it to crash immediately, with relatively low operational costs.

• Directed Energy Weapons: These use microwave or high-energy electromagnetic pulses to directly destroy the electronic equipment inside the drone, rendering it completely non-functional.

The security and privacy threats posed by drones are becoming increasingly complex and diverse, placing higher demands on anti-drone technology. By focusing on product technology innovation, enterprises can enhance detection and countermeasure capabilities, providing technical support for combating future drone threats and safeguarding airspace.