White-paper for establishing Wide-Area Drone Surveillance Network
Prepared by
21st August 2024
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Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Type of Drone threats
3. Need for Holistic integrated solution
4. A Wide Area Counter Drone Solution
5. Next Steps
6. Conclusion
This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
2
1. Executive Summary
After the recent Ukraine Russia War, it has become very clear that drone threats pose
significant challenges to military and civilian infrastructure . These drone threats can come in
various forms: surveillance, loitering munition, combat UAVs, swarms, payload delivery, critical
infrastructure disruption, and cyber attacks. To effectively counter these evolving threats, a
holistic, integrated approach is essential. This whitepaper highlights a solution that combines
multiple detection methods, including RF analyzers, radar, and acoustic and optical sensors,
with diverse neutralization techniques like jammers, cyber takeover, and directed energy
weapons and netguns if available. A centralized command and control system with real-time
data fusion ties these components together.
Existing counter-drone technologies each have specific advantages and limitations,
emphasizing the need for a multi-layered defense strategy. Implementing a wide-area
counter-drone solution involves an AI-enabled fusion engine, integrated sensors, and various
countermeasures. While initial assessment and pilot deployment can take up to 6 to 8 months
and cost up to $500,000 per square mile, full city-wide implementation may range from $100
million to several hundred million dollars.
Despite the substantial investment, a drone surveillance network offers immediate scalable
benefits in urban, aviation and military security. As drones become integral to future commerce
and transportation, investing in counter-drone infrastructure provides significant long-term
advantages and revenue opportunities for urban areas.
2. Type of Drone Threats
Drone threats of different kinds present multi-level challenges in
protecting military and civilian infrastructure, increasing the challenge
to develop counter drone systems.
A. Surveillance
Definition: Use of UAVs to gather intelligence, monitor activities, and collect data on targets or
areas of interest especially from an enemy nation or rogue entities.
Characteristics:
● Stealth: Quiet operation and high-altitude flight for difficult detection
● Persistence: Continuous surveillance for extended periods
● Payload Capability: Equipped with sensors like cameras, thermal imagers, and infrared
Roles:
● Monitoring: Real-time situational awareness and early threat detection
This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
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● Intelligence Gathering: Data collection on targets, movements, and vulnerabilities
Examples:
● Global Hawk: A high-altitude, long-endurance drone used for strategic reconnaissance
and surveillance missions.
● Predator: A medium-altitude, long-endurance drone used for intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
B. Weaponized Drone Attacks
Definition: Weaponized drone attacks involve the use of
drones equipped with explosives, missiles, or other weapons
to target specific locations or individuals. These attacks can
cause significant damage and casualties.
Characteristics:
● Payload Capacity: Drones capable of carrying larger
payloads and having a longer range are typically
favored for this type of attack.
● Precision: Weaponized drones can be used for
precision strikes on specified targets, including
infrastructure and personnel.
Role:
● Targeted Strikes: Conducting attacks on military installations, government buildings,
power stations, airports, and civilian populations.
● Overwhelming Defenses: Some attacks seek to overwhelm air defenses through sheer
numbers using loitering Munitions
Examples:
● Pilot-to-Target Attacks: Drones loaded with explosive charges crash into or near a target
and explode. Shahed drones from Iran used in Ukraine-Russia War
● Precision Attacks: air-to-surface missile locked on target from altitude destroying the
target with precision. Drones used for such attacks are MQ-1 Predator, Bayraktar TB2,
XQ-58A Valkyrie.
C. Drone Swarm attacks
Definition: Drone swarm attacks involve the coordinated use of multiple drones to overwhelm
defenses, conduct surveillance, or deliver payloads. These attacks can be particularly
challenging to defend against due to the sheer number of drones involved.
Characteristics:
● Swarming Behavior: Drones in a swarm can communicate with each other and
coordinate their movements to achieve a common goal.
This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
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● Adaptability: Drone swarms can adapt to
changing environments and overcome
obstacles by working together.
Role:
● Overwhelming Defenses: Drone swarms can
be used to saturate air defenses and deliver
payloads to targets.
● Reconnaissance and Surveillance: Swarms
can be used for large-scale reconnaissance
missions, gathering intelligence over a wide
area.
Examples:
● ISIS Drone Swarms: ISIS used large
numbers of small quadcopters to drop modified grenades in attacks.
● Houthi Drone Swarms: Al-Houthi forces in Yemen have used drone swarms to target
commercial shipping in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade and energy transfers.
D. Disruption of Critical Infrastructure
Definition: It refers to the unauthorized use of drones to interfere with the operations of
essential services, such as power plants, airports, and communication networks, potentially
causing significant operational and safety risks.
Characteristics:
● Lightweight and Accessible: Commercial drones used for disruption are typically
lightweight, easily accessible, and capable of carrying payloads that can obstruct or
damage critical infrastructure.
Role:
● Surveillance and Obstruction: Drones can be employed to conduct surveillance and
deliver harmful payloads or execute disruptive actions, posing threats to public safety
and national security.
Examples:
● DJI Phantom series: Commonly used consumer drones that can disrupt operations at
sensitive sites.
● Parrot Anafi: Lightweight drone that can easily infiltrate restricted areas.
E. Cyber Attack
Definition: Cyber attacks using drones refer to the unauthorized exploitation of unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) to compromise the cybersecurity of networks and systems. This can
involve gaining unauthorized access, control, or manipulation of drone systems, leading to
potential threats to operational integrity and safety.
This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
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Characteristics
Drones utilized for cyber attacks are often equipped with advanced communication systems and
payloads capable of executing cyber infiltration techniques. Key characteristics include:
● Connectivity: Drones rely on various communication protocols, making them vulnerable
to cyber threats.
● Payload Capability: Drones can carry devices that facilitate hacking, such as signal
jammers or malware delivery systems.
● Accessibility: Many commercial drones are readily available and can be modified for
malicious purposes.
Role
These drones can be employed to:
● Conduct surveillance: Gathering intelligence on sensitive targets or infrastructure.
● Deliver malware: Infiltrating networks through physical proximity to critical systems.
● Execute denial-of-service attacks: Disrupting services by overwhelming network
resources.
Deployment
Cyber attacks using drones can occur in various scenarios, including:
● Unauthorized flights over sensitive facilities: Gaining access to secure areas to launch
cyber attacks.
● Interference with communication networks: Disrupting signals and data transmission to
cripple operations.
● Targeting energy or transportation systems: Compromising the control systems of critical
infrastructure.
Examples
● Spoofing Attacks: Attackers can manipulate drone navigation systems to redirect or
hijack drones, leading to unauthorized access to secure areas.
● Denial of Service (DoS): Drones can be used to flood network traffic, rendering systems
inoperable and disrupting services.
3. Holistic Defense: Integrating Multi-Layered Countermeasures
Against Evolving Drone Threats
Holistic integration: Fusing diverse sensors and countermeasures
creates a robust, adaptable defense against evolving drone threats.
While individual counter-drone technologies offer specific advantages, the rapidly evolving
nature of drone threats necessitates a comprehensive, integrated approach. Individual
counter-drone technologies mentioned, such as RF analyzers, radar, acoustic sensors,
jammers, and cyber takeover systems, can be used to detect, track, identify, and neutralize
these various drone threats but they have certain limitations and might not be suitable in all
scenarios. Please see Page
This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
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Thus, there is a need for a holistic solution, which combines multiple detection and
neutralization methods to create a robust, multi-layered defense system.
Integrating various sensors (RF analyzers, radar, acoustic, and optical) provides redundancy
and improves overall detection capabilities across different environments and drone types. This
approach mitigates the weaknesses of individual sensors, such as RF analyzers' ineffectiveness
against autonomous drones or acoustic sensors' limited range.
Furthermore, a diverse array of neutralization methods (jammers, cyber takeover, nets, and
directed energy weapons) offers flexibility in response, allowing operators to choose the most
appropriate countermeasure based on the specific threat and operational context.
A centralized command and control system with real-time sensor data fusion engine is crucial
for processing data from multiple sources, providing a comprehensive situational awareness,
and coordinating response actions. This integration enables faster decision-making and more
effective threat neutralization.
By adopting a holistic, integrated solution, organizations can adapt to emerging drone
technologies and tactics, ensuring a robust and future-proof counter-drone strategy that protects
critical infrastructure and maintains operational security.
Below is the list of existing counter-drone technologies with their pros and cons and leaders in
those specific technologies.
Technology Capabilities Limitations Vendors
Radio Frequency Low cost, detects multiple Short range, less effective in Rohde & Schwarz,
(RF) Analyzers drones/controllers, passive (no crowded RF areas, can't detect Aaronia, Dedrone,
license), triangulate positions autonomous drones CERBAIR
Acoustic Sensors Detects all drones, including Very short range, struggles in Squarehead
(Microphones) autonomous ones, passive, noisy environments Technologies
mobile/deployable
Optical Sensors Provides visuals, records Difficult for detection alone, Multiple vendors
(Cameras) evidence poor in dark/fog conditions
Radar Long range, accurate tracking, Struggles with small or swarm Robin Radar Systems
all-weather, handles multiple drones, can't distinguish birds (IRIS radar)
targets
Radio Frequency Medium cost, non-kinetic Short range, unpredictable TRD, HP Wust
Jammers neutralization drone behavior, affects other
RF communications
GPS Spoofers Medium cost, non-kinetic take Short range, affects other GPS Regulus
control systems
This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
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High Power Effective drone stopping in range High cost, collateral damage Diehl Defence
Microwave (HPM) risk, uncontrolled fall
Devices
Nets and Net Guns Physical capture, ground/drone Debris risk, limited range, Fortem Technologies,
deployable, controlled capture reloading time OpenWorks
Engineering
High-Energy Lasers Long range, low cost-per-kill Collateral damage risk, Lockheed Martin,
experimental Raytheon
Cyber Takeover Precise, lightweight, data Untested, library limitations D-Fend Solutions
Systems capture, autonomous drone
capable
As mentioned before, any single anti drones technology has its limitations, thus, a holistic
approach is required.
A Wide-Area Counter Drone Solution
The below diagram shows information flow to achieve the overall objective of wide-area
surveillance as well as threat neutralization.
Below is the description of each component in the diagram shown above.
This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
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1. Command & Control Center (C2)
Command and Control center is a dashboard given to the relevant authorities responsible
for drone-surveillance. The dashboard comes with a decision support system, which
enables rapid decision making when the threat arises and enables issuance of commands
to various counter-drone effectors.
A typical customized Command Center dashboard based on requirements will look like
the image below:
The above image is for illustration purpose only.
This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
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2. C2 Fusion Engine:
C2 Fusion Engine is the heart of the system. It correlates data from multiple sensors in
real-time, identifies and prioritizes and provides situational awareness to the Command
center dashboard It uses Multi-modal Physics-based and AI models to achieve the
processing.
3. Sensor Integration with Fusion Engine
4. Effectors/Countermeasures:
This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
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So in summary, sensors detect and track drones, providing data to the C2 center. Humans
analyze the fused multi-sensor data and initiate countermeasures through the C2 system to the
appropriate effectors to neutralize drones deemed a threat.
5. Next Steps
KDT is establishing partnerships with various existing counter-drone equipment providers to ease
the deployment and integration to overall solution. Agencies interested can reach out to KDT
systems to do a risk assessment of drone threats.
Assessment Time
2 months
*Assessment time is dependent on clearance of various information requested.
Based on assessment, the next step would be to do a pilot on an approximately square mile area
or more, which has the most strategic value.
Pilot Time
6 months
Pilot Cost
$350,000 to $500,000 per square mile
*depending on the specific technologies deployed and the size of the city. Kinetic equipment required to neutralize the threat not
included.
This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
11
Conclusion
Invest in a drone surveillance network to boost urban security and
efficiency, transforming cities while ensuring privacy and community
trust.
The total cost for implementing a city-wide drone
surveillance and threat neutralization network in cities
like New York, London, or Kuala Lumpur could range
from $100 million to several hundred million dollars,
depending on the scale, technology, and specific
threats addressed.
The ROI for a wide-area drone surveillance and threat
neutralization network can be considered worth it if the
benefits—both tangible and intangible—outweigh
the costs. The initial investment and ongoing costs
should be evaluated not only in the context of recent
conflicts and emerging threats but also as an enabler
for future prosperity.
As the future of commerce and transportation evolves, drones are set to play a pivotal role in
shaping how cities operate and thrive. The decentralization of people and goods movement,
driven by advancements in drone technology, presents a transformative opportunity for urban
environments and people, increasing the stream of revenue for urban dwellers.
This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
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This whitepaper is for aviation, city and defense stakeholders to illustrate AI-enabled holistic wide-area drone surveillance networks.
For further discussions, please reach out to [email protected]
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