The NFL and federal law enforcement are on high alert for unauthorized drones after one caused a play stoppage at a playoff game two weeks ago.

Super Bowl LVIII will feature a tough defensive scheme that has nothing to do with a football. This one is about stopping drones.

The NFL and federal law enforcement officials are taking a hard line Sunday to keep players and fans safe from unauthorized drones at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas where the Kansas City Chiefs will play the San Francisco 49ers.

Unapproved drone flights have become a persistent problem for the NFL, as well as for other sports leagues and large public gatherings. The NFL said there were about 2,500 drone incursions near stadiums during the 2022-2023 season, an increase of about 90% from a year earlier.

The flights have sometimes encroached on televised broadcasts, including two weeks ago at the AFC championship game in Baltimore when an unapproved drone violated the restricted airspace. Federal prosecutors later charged a Pennsylvania drone pilot who said, according to the FBI, that he wasn’t aware of the flight restrictions.

Possible criminal charges and civil penalties await anyone trying something similar Sunday, officials said.

“So please leave your drone at home,” Cathy Lanier, the NFL’s chief security officer, said at a news conference Wednesday.

Most of the drones are operated by hobbyists seeking aerial video, according to experts, but especially at a high-profile event such as the Super Bowl, authorities said they’re also looking out for people with more nefarious intentions.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the incident two weeks ago was a warning.

“It does not require much imagination to understand the significant threat such an incident could pose,” he said at the news conference Wednesday. Although no one was hurt in that incident, he said, “what happened in Baltimore underscores the vital importance of the mission.”

Mayorkas added that there were no known credible specific threats to the Super Bowl or Las Vegas.

Federal law enforcement designates the Super Bowl as a top-tier security event, on roughly the same level as a presidential inauguration ceremony or a visit by the pope. Allegiant Stadium, where the teams will play, has a capacity of about 65,000 people.

Any stadium’s defense against drones has multiple layers, said Mary-Lou Smulders, chief marketing officer for Dedrone, a Virginia-based company. Its drone countermeasure technology is in use by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which covers Las Vegas and its major stadiums.

“Like any security issue, the more layers you add, the safer you are,” she said. “The same applies to airspace security.”

The first layers, she said, are all designed to detect and track drones using at least three types of technology: radio-frequency sensors, cameras and radar. They have different strengths, she added: Radio-frequency sensors can distinguish between drones and other objects better than radar, while radar has a longer range and a camera can help determine if a drone is carrying a payload.

With a camera, Smulders said, “the most interesting thing to ask is: Is it carrying a payload, yes or no?” If it were, that “would dramatically affect your security posture.”

A second set of layers is designed to interfere with a drone’s flight, she said: “cell phone jammer jamming” or cutting off the radio communication between a drone and its pilot; hacking into a drone to take over control; and locating the pilot on the ground and arresting the person.

drone jammer Jamming and hacking are not usually available as security tools for an NFL game. Federal law restricts who can interfere with a drone’s flight, and in the United States, only a few government agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have the authority to do so. Congress is considering legislation to change that but, for now, the federal government provides agents for high-profile events like the Super Bowl but not for a game on any given Sunday.

At a regular season game in Baltimore in November, play was delayed twice because of drone activity.

The NFL game stoppages are helping raise the profile of drone countermeasures, a growing industry that experts say will become more important as drone technology improves and becomes cheaper.

Allegiant Stadium has one advantage over Baltimore’s: It’s a domed stadium, with a roof to shield the game from anything overhead. But it’s not completely enclosed, Smulders noted: The stadium has 80-foot walls that are retractable if weather allows. The doors have usually been closed during games.

Still, the NFL is on higher alert for drones than it used to be. In 2017, a California man used a modified drone to drop leaflets on the 49ers stadium, authorities said. He then drove to nearby Oakland and did the same at a Raiders game. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation.

For Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration has banned drones within a radius of 30 nautical miles (about 35 miles) of the stadium beginning one hour before kickoff. There have also been restrictions in place for additional events in Las Vegas the past few days.

Lanier has previously told NBC News that the NFL had a close call at the Super Bowl in Atlanta in February 2019, when an FBI team spotted a drone just before six Air Force F-16s were set to conduct a flyover before the game. The F-16s flew at a higher altitude to avoid a possible collision, she said.

Unlike any previous conflict, the Ukraine war has been significantly impacted by the presence of drones. These drones come in various forms, ranging from small quadcopters equipped with cameras and grenades that fly over front-line trenches to flying bombs carrying warheads weighing dozens of kilogrammes (pounds) into Kyiv and Moscow.

 

Kyiv and other major cities have been targeted by invading Russian troops in recent months. These troops have employed Shahed "kamikaze" drones, which are of Iranian origin. In response, Ukraine has initiated its own unmanned assaults in Crimea and the Russian border region of Belgorod.

 

The Russian government took the stance of accusing Ukraine of launching an attack on Moscow with the use of these devices, as of Tuesday.

 

The image we see today is a significant departure from the exaggerated buzz that once surrounded the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones during the initial months of the conflict.

 

The aircraft attracted considerable media attention and were lauded in songs for their pivotal role in demolishing Moscow's armored columns and the Moskva, the flagship of the Black Sea fleet.

 

Nonetheless, the prolonged conflict has resulted in the diminished importance of these models, specifically referred to as MALE (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance).

 

As per an anonymous source from the European defense industry, the front line has been fortified and rendered impenetrable by the deployment of Russian defense systems, effectively countering airborne attacks, according to AFP.

 

In the present scenario, the drone war has evolved into a game centered around numerical figures.

 

A senior French military source revealed that air defenses play a crucial role in countering suicide drones. These defenses are employed to compel the defenders to utilize their missiles and exhaust their reserves.

 

“You also create terror and uncertainty at all times. Over the long term, that has value,” the source added.

 

Jack Watling and Nick Reynolds, analysts from the British defense think-tank RUSI, emphasized in a recent report the critical nature of Russia's ability to economically weaken enemy air defense. This is particularly significant as Russia's production of long-range missiles is limited to about 40 per month.

 

Reports indicate that Moscow's air force conducts extensive deployments of aircraft to increase the number of potential threats and assess vulnerabilities in the Ukrainian air defense. The purpose is to identify areas where traditional missiles could potentially bypass the defense system.

 

As per the European industrial source, Kyiv is known to deploy commercially available Chinese propeller-powered drones or old Soviet jet-powered reconnaissance drones for attacks within Russian territory.

 

– Front lines –

 

Smaller drone models are predominantly employed for reconnaissance and attack purposes on the front lines.

 

Ukrainian soldiers have uploaded multiple videos on social media platforms demonstrating modified commercially available drones dropping bombs on Russian troops' positions.

 

RUSI's Watling and Reynolds noted that there are typically between 25 and 50 UAVs from each side on a 10-kilometre front line.

Ukrainian Furia and Russian Eleron-3 drones are specialized for particular tasks and have a range of up to 50 kilometers. In comparison, modified commercial quadcopters, many of which are obtained through crowdfunding, can only cover distances of less than 10 kilometers.

 

The swarms have compelled both parties to employ electronic defenses, effectively decreasing the expenditure involved in countering devices that are too inexpensive to justify shooting them down with expensive missiles.

 

As per RUSI's findings, the Russian forces have implemented a tactical approach of employing roughly one major electronic warfare system for every 10 kilometers of frontage. Moreover, there are enhanced electronic warfare capabilities that are specifically tailored and utilized at higher levels of command.

 

The senior French officer highlighted that the Russians have escalated their electronic warfare operations, indicating a substantial transformation.

 

RUSI reported that anti-drone weapons, like directional jammers and arrays for seizing UAVs, are now being utilized by individual Russian platoons drone jammer.

 

Anti-drone “rifles” that emit jamming signals are “the absolute basics of defence, what really works are non-portable jammers deployed close to the front line”, the European industry source said signal jammer.

 

Nonetheless, these "massive spheres on tripods with generators" are easily detectable and are predicted to have a limited lifespan, as they mentioned.

 

– High attrition –

 

The French officer characterized drone and anti-drone warfare as an innovative version of combined arms combat.

 

Just like the existence of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, we also have drones, electronic warfare, and connectivity.

 

The officer pointed out that the relentless pursuit to eliminate them leads to small drones having a short lifespan, typically lasting only four to six flights before being taken down.

 

The Ukrainian government has stated that they are encountering a substantial loss of around 10,000 drones each month across their wide range of devices. However, the veracity of this assertion cannot be independently verified, leading to speculation that it may be a strategic move to secure greater aid from Western nations.

 

If breakthroughs and counter-offensives cause front lines to shift rapidly once again, drones will remain pertinent.

 

In the context of Ukraine's upcoming summer offensive, the use of drones to eliminate Russian defensive barriers, including dropping explosives into a minefield to create a clear path, is a strategy suggested by Vikram Mittal, a professor at the US military academy West Point, in an article for Forbes.

Russian vehicles have been equipped with homemade drone-jammer, as reported. In a retaliatory move, the Ukrainians have been employing drones to destroy these jammers.

 

Ukrainian drones have instilled a sense of fear among Russian marines, and rightfully so. Russian troops are employing various tactics to bring down, neutralize and deflect these dangerous drones.

 

While improvisation can yield positive results, it is not a foolproof method. It has become increasingly evident that Russian military personnel are equipping their tanks and combat vehicles with small RP-377 radio-jammers, which are designed to impede the signals that trigger radio-controlled roadside bombs, with the aim of obstructing the signals that govern high-speed first-person-view drones.

 

It is becoming more and more evident that RP-377 is not effective against FPV drones. Social media is filled with darkly-ironic videos that depict Ukrainian drones destroying Russian vehicles that have do-it-yourself drone-jammers installed.

 

Thematically, the videos exhibit similarities to those illustrating Ukrainian forces obliterating Russian GPS-jammers by means of GPS-guided bombs, as you might have surmised.

 

A Russian naval infantry brigade, either the 155th or 40th Brigade, faces a challenge with drones, as evidenced by an ungraceful T-80BVM tank. The tank has been outfitted with do-it-yourself cage armor that could hinder the turret's rotation, but it may also provide some safeguard against explosive drones.

 

Adding to the tank's peculiarity is the RP-377 radio-jammer, which is securely mounted on its rearmost cage armor. Crafted by the Kremlin, this portable jammer was designed to interfere with enemy communications and provide protection to infantry and vehicles against improvised explosive devices.

 

The utilization of IEDs presents a major obstacle in Russia's irregular warfare endeavors, particularly in conflict zones like Syria. Conversely, in Ukraine, where the majority of the fighting involves regular forces, the prominence of IEDs is considerably lower.

On the Ukraine front line, more and more Russian vehicles are being equipped with RP-377s attached to their hulls. The purpose of these jammers is unlikely to be the prevention of IEDs. It appears that the Russians are banking on the RP-377s to take down drones.

 

Radio-jamming poses an equal threat to both remote IEDs and drones in principle. The Russian troops deployed in the Eastern Military District conducted tests in 2020 and reported that their RP-377s played a crucial role in suppressing unmanned aerial vehicles.

 

It is worth noting that a significant number of drones are equipped with frequency-hopping controls or autopilots, which effectively neutralize the adverse effects of radio-jamming. As a result, there have been numerous instances where drone strikes have successfully targeted vehicles that were equipped with add-on RP-377s.

 

An ironic incident occurred a few weeks ago when a Ukrainian FPV drone collided with a Russian BMP fighting vehicle that had an RP-377 installed on it.

The field of drone technology is rapidly advancing and presents numerous possibilities across various sectors, such as military operations, public safety initiatives, logistics, and home services. The key attribute of drone technology lies in its ability to operate independently and execute assigned tasks without manual intervention. Additionally, drones offer significant benefits in terms of adaptability and intelligence, as they can automatically adjust to different environments, evade obstacles, and accomplish tasks with flexibility.

 

By combining uav jammer and counter-gun technology, the UAV counter-gun system follows a technical principle that enables remote control and counter-gun attacks. This innovative technology allows for customization based on mission objectives, facilitating precise countermeasure gun shooting against specific targets. Furthermore, the UAV countermeasure gun utilizes the UAV's flexibility and intelligence to automatically adapt to different environmental conditions, ensuring precise targeting and effective crime prevention.

 

Drone countermeasure gun technology holds immense potential across various sectors, particularly in public safety and military arenas. Within the realm of public security, drones can be utilized to conduct thorough investigations of crime scenes, monitor law enforcement operations, swiftly identify criminal suspects, enhance police efficiency, prevent crimes, and curtail their proliferation. In the military sphere, the integration of UAV counter-gun technology can greatly enhance combat effectiveness by facilitating timely detection of enemy forces and accurate implementation of counter-gun shooting, thereby reducing the toll of war.

The emergence of UAV countermeasure gun technology has opened up a vast array of possibilities. Its potential to effectively combat crime, reduce gun-related incidents, and enhance public safety is undeniable. Furthermore, in military operations, the utilization of UAV countermeasure guns can greatly improve combat efficiency, effectiveness, and bolster anti-terrorism endeavors. As technology progresses, drone countermeasure gun technology will undoubtedly make significant strides, offering society and the military even more substantial benefits.

 

An electromagnetic interference device that resembles a gun is known as a drone countermeasure gun

 

An event site was unexpectedly invaded by an enigmatic drone, resulting in a substantial disruption to the game's progress. Shortly thereafter, my gaze fell upon a newly introduced apparatus - a silver-gray drone countermeasure gun, measuring around one meter in length, designed to swiftly incapacitate the adversary with a single shot.

 

The drone remained intact as it gently touched down on the ground. The fundamental principle behind this weapon lies in emitting electromagnetic interference waves spanning from 2.4GHz to 5.8GHz, which effectively disrupts the communication link between the remote control jamming device and the drone. This approach proves highly effective since the majority of drone remote controls operate within this frequency range.

 

With a range of 1,000 meters, the activated UAV countermeasure gun can effectively manipulate long-distance low-altitude UAVs within the specified "control area". It can compel these UAVs to either descend, return to the operator, or smoothly descend in a short span of time, ensuring efficient control over their flight.

The term "bombing drone" denotes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is specifically utilized for carrying out drone strikes. These drones are part of a larger group of combat drones that are responsible for tasks such as target acquisition, surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering.

 

While bomber drones are unmanned, they are not fully automated. Instead, they are typically operated by humans in real-time from a remote location.

 

Undoubtedly, there is a remarkable weight reduction in comparison to traditional aircraft, as the absence of a human pilot renders all their necessary provisions inconsequential.

 

Presented here is a concise glimpse into the world of stealth bombers and the methods employed to render these units inoperative.

 

Unraveling the Fallacy of Detecting Stealth Bomber Drones.

 

In a utopian realm, bomber drones would embody the genuine definition of stealth. As one can imagine, this necessitates completely eluding detection by targets. Any potential compromise could result in an unsuccessful termination of a mission in progress.

 

The US Air Force's RQ-170 is a prime instance of a compromise. In December 2011, an RQ-170 crashed on the border between Iran and Afghanistan, and the Iranians wasted no time in collecting the wreckage and commencing their own engineering of the technology.

 

The RQ-180's inception is credited not solely to the ability to replicate but also to the proficiency to enhance the original plan. These models are purposed to be inconspicuous espionage drones, but what does the notion of "stealth" signify in this particular case?

 

The general perception of drone stealth revolves around its effectiveness in evading radar detection. While satellites offer extensive visibility, their lack of operational flexibility partially contributes to the incorporation of detection avoidance features in certain designs.

 

The operation of radar technology is uncomplicated. It emits a signal that reflects off an aircraft, indicating its location and providing the ability to track it.

Nonetheless, this task becomes significantly more arduous when dealing with drones that have a smaller physical presence, thereby giving rise to the concept of their stealth capabilities.

 

The issue with this myth lies in its failure to consider the role of radio frequencies. Without a doubt, autonomous control relies on communication that is dependent on frequencies. However, it is crucial to understand that these frequencies can be interfered with using the appropriate technology.

 

Despite this, taking this route does come with a heightened level of difficulty in comparison to exclusively employing radar recognition for drone detection.

 

What equipment or tools are necessary to disable a drone that is designed for bombing missions?

 

Categorically, the equipment found in this vicinity falls into two groups: drone detection and drone disruption. The former pertains to the identification of drones, while the latter emphasizes the deactivation of the detected drones.

 

Four Cutting-Edge Technologies for Neutralizing Counter UAS Threats.

 

The utilization of drones may pose a risk to both human safety and security. Moreover, they are often utilized for espionage purposes, gathering sensitive information from secure locations like military bases, and can cause harm by transporting explosives.

The counter-drone technology industry has been rapidly evolving, with a particular focus on the military sector. If you want to know about the top four trending counter UAS technologies, read on.

 

Grids

 

This drone detection solution is frequently utilized by militaries to intercept drones. Once the net ensnares a drone, it promptly halts its movement, causing it to plummet to the ground. This effective approach ensures that a drone cannot return to its sender, thereby preventing the unauthorized dissemination of sensitive information from a military station or, in a worst-case scenario, mitigating the potential physical damage caused by any explosives it may be transporting.

 

Catching drones with nets has advantages, including a low risk of harm to the sender or others from explosions and the ability to track down and prosecute the sender. Ground-launched net cannons are highly precise and effective.

 

The reload time for drone deployed nets is a notable drawback. This implies that if there are multiple drones or if the target manages to evade capture initially, the threat remains unresolved.

 

Radar

 

By utilizing radio energy, radar is able to accurately determine the location of an object. Radars play a crucial role in measuring the direction and position of drones. Typically, radars emit a radio signal and subsequently analyze the echo it receives. However, they have limited effectiveness in detecting small targets. Originally, radars were primarily developed to track larger objects like passenger aircraft. Nonetheless, military forces also rely on radars to locate smaller drones that may be present in the surrounding area.

 

Radars play a crucial role in effectively monitoring expansive areas, providing precise location details, and identifying multiple targets concurrently. Given the imperative need for unwavering defense preparedness irrespective of unfavorable weather conditions, radars emerge as an exceptionally viable solution, even in instances of limited visibility like fog, darkness, and similar circumstances.

 

Shortcoming: The inability of most radars to differentiate between small drones and small flying animals like bats or birds is a drawback. This makes radars less effective for military purposes, as they may miss small-sized drones.

 

High Power Microwave (HPM)

 

The use of High Power Microwave devices can have a significant impact on drones. The HPM's electromagnetic waves can disrupt the radio links that control a drone's movements, causing it to malfunction or crash. Furthermore, the high voltage and currents of the HPM can cause damage to the drone's electronic systems, rendering it useless. This makes the HPM an effective tool for preventing dangerous situations involving drones.

 

Upsides: Productive in putting a stop to drones that are present within the HPM distance range.

 

Although this technology serves the purpose of safeguarding military bases and highly secured areas, it inadvertently poses a threat to other electronic devices, potentially leading to their accidental destruction. Additionally, HPM has the capability to disrupt communication signals.

 

GPS Spoofer

 

Thanks to this technological advancement, a signal is sent to the identified suspicious drone, causing it to be misinformed about its precise whereabouts. By continuously updating the GPS coordinates, the spoofer gains control over the drone, enabling its relocation to a designated "safe zone." Consequently, the presence of the drone is effectively eliminated, minimizing the potential risks involved.

 

Positive aspects: The cost-effectiveness of GPS spoofers makes them an attractive technology for armies, as they can be purchased in greater quantities and deployed across various geographical areas.

 

Negative aspect: Unfortunately, there is a drawback of possibly causing interference with other radio communication signals.

The system operator's assessment of the threat indicates that electronic means, specifically soft-kill measures like frequency drone jamming, can be employed to effectively mitigate the UAV threat.

 

The act of gps jamming entails the deliberate transmission of concentrated RF power towards the specific frequency channels utilized by the Drone for telemetric, control, and navigation purposes. The range at which the jamming signal remains effective depends on factors such as line of sight and power output, and it can extend to approximately 5Km or even further distances when employing high power output (>50W).

The United States is experiencing a swift rise in the number of drones being used on a daily basis, encompassing a wide array of applications such as infrastructure inspection and package delivery. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governs the airspace, it is essential for cities to comprehend the expanding industry that will eventually operate within their communities. By doing so, they can adequately prepare themselves to harness the benefits for their citizens and safeguard against any potential challenges that may arise.

 

How Cities Can Contribute to the Booming Drone Economy in America

 

American cities are beginning to witness the positive effects that drones operating on a large scale can have on society, spanning from the environment to the economy. Most cities are already observing a surge in drone jammer usage for a multitude of purposes, including public safety, medical deliveries, retail package delivery, and infrastructure inspection, among others. As we anticipate the integration of this emerging technology into the skies, expediting the development of drone infrastructure could help cities modernize faster while also complementing and reducing the load on traditional infrastructure.

 

NLC's report on Cities and Drones emphasizes the importance of cities in the emerging drone industry. The report notes that city governments can still regulate drones despite the FAA's final rule. Instead of an outright ban, officials should consider the potential advantages of this technology for residents and city services.

Working alongside federal, state, and local governments, drone operators, and industry pioneers, Airspace Link has established a blueprint for cities to participate in the signal jammers economy, prioritizing the safety and security of residents while maximizing benefits for the community.

 

Exploring the Intrinsic Importance, Quantitatively Analyzed.

 

The extensive benefits that drones can bring to the economy, environment, and society can only be fully realized through comprehensive scaling of operations. To enable the seamless integration of drones into various sectors, it is essential for all stakeholders, including cities, to show their unwavering commitment in establishing the necessary infrastructure and regulations.

Ensure Your Privacy is Preserved from Prying Drones.

 

The use of drones may pose a threat to privacy as they can invade people's personal space and collect personal data without their consent, which can accidentally expose their privacy. Additionally, the continuous recording of video footage during flight can result in the collection of information about individuals without any legitimate reason, which can be a violation of their privacy rights.