Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Technologies – Need of the Hour

New Delhi. EY India, in collaboration with FICCI today released a report that highlights the need to deploy Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) in India. Considering the status of UAS policy and operations in India, the report emphasizes the need for counter-UAS systems, considering the challenges with respect to market scenario and operations.

Risks posed by UAS technology

The market for drone applications is expected to touch $100mn by 2020. As the market accelerates, the instances of misuse of this technology by nefarious entities also heightens the security risk posed by them. The report identifies three types of risks – privacy, security and penetration – as typically posed by UAS technology and applications. For example, as of March 2019, India has 103 operational airports and has envisaged increasing the number of operational airports to 190-200 by FY40. The number of airplanes is expected to grow to 1,100 planes by 2027. Rising number of aircrafts and airports, both point towards increased risk of irresponsible, mistaken or ill intended UAS operations. According to estimates, close to 50,000 drones was operating in India prior to the policy notification in August 2018, and all these drones are non-compliant to the No Permission No Take-off (NPNT) requirements mandated in Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR).

Need for counter UAS technologies

The need to mitigate the risks calls for adoption of counter UAS technologies by ensuring enforcement of the regulations. In view of this, multiple governments have started taking cognizance of the risk and have started investing in counter drone technologies. The requirement for counter UAS in the Indian context is further enhanced given the demographic intensity, increasing air traffic and the evolution of CAR in India. The government’s ‘Digital sky’, when effectively implemented will address some of the problems at its roots.

Techniques and tools to counter UAS

A complete counter-UAS system must be capable of detecting, tracking as well as intercepting UAVs. Some of the techniques to detect and track UAS are radar, radio-frequency, electro-optical and acoustic systems. While detection and tracking of rogue UAVs is a crucial element in Counter UAS space, it is only half of the complete solution. Interdiction of an unauthorized UAVs and neutralizing their threat will make the skies safer. Some of the methods available for interdicting are – protocol based interdiction, sensor based interdiction, interdiction using jammers and finally, physical interdiction. Some of the challenges while adopting these technologies include economic feasibility, effective contingency plans, legalities, among others. Given the applications of C-UAS technologies, it is forecasted that this market is expected to initially spurt and then grow in line with the drone market.

Case studies

The foremost adopters of counter-UAS technologies have been militaries and defense organizations around the world. The growing use of military drones around the world has sparked off a race to develop and procure the most cutting edge anti- drone systems in the world. Some of the tools and techniques used by militaries, defense organizations and police include GPS spoofing, drone nets, RF jammer guns, among others.

The path ahead in India

The anti – drone technologies are still very nascent, and the companies are trying to build the best systems involving multiple technologies to deal with all possible contingencies. However, India has already taken the first step towards bringing accountability in drone ownership and operations.