FEATURE MILITARY/AEROSPACE & DEFENCE
STOP THREATS in their tracks
Throughout the UK, across land, sea and air, we are vulnerable to malicious threats that require ever more diverse skills and technologies in combat. There are growing concerns around the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, and instances of vehicles being used as weapons in heavily populated areas. Increased fears around these new threats have led to developments in non- contact deactivation systems, which can make an incoming vehicle or UAV come to a controlled stop without physical contact. Phil Nicholson, vice-president of defence – RF power, e2vhas more
T
here are many potential safety benefits that come from authorities being able to deactivate
a vehicle or UAV from a safe distance. Non-contact deactivation technology is extremely versatile and is now becoming a reality. On land, non-contact target deactivation systems can be used to force a vehicle to a stop, without causing collateral damage. By emitting radio frequency pulses, e2v’s RF Safe-Stop overloads the target vehicle’s electronic control unit, causing it to deactivate. The target vehicle still retains limited controllability, as its steering and brakes will maintain functionality, but the vehicle will not have power. On land when used against cars, motorbikes and commercial vehicles, the deactivation range is up to 50 metres when the system is attached to armoured and civil patrol vehicles. These systems could be extremely helpful for a range of safety applications - offering security forces, law enforcement officers and counter terrorism police a great advantage. Non-contact target deactivation systems could also help to protect our oceans. Maritime transport is essential to the world’s economy, with more than 90 per cent of global trade carried by sea. Therefore, it is important that our oceans are protected from threats such as piracy and smuggling. Marine terrorism is also a concern and could have significant economic implications for the global economy. Deactivation technology can be fitted at harbour and sea checkpoints to ensure that restricted areas are not breached, making it easier to protect them. Once a pulse has been emitted towards a vessel, that vessel has limited controllability and will be unable to move until the non-contact deactivation system is turned off. This means that vessels can be brought to a safe and controlled stop, and occupants on- board will not be harmed. When fitted with RF Safe- Stop, lightweight patrol boats have a pulse range of more than 120 metres on water. Over the last few years there has been a huge
increase in the use of drones in UK airspace with sales of the technology more than tripling between
12 APRIL 2017 | ELECTRONICS Figure 1 & 2:
Deactivation technology can be fitted at harbour and sea checkpoints to ensure that restricted areas are not breached
May 2015 and April 2016. This technology is increasingly used for a diverse range of threats, which include espionage, smuggling and terrorism. We have already seen examples of drones being used to smuggle drugs, mobile phones and other banned items into prisons, and there has also been reports of drones flying too close to passenger planes. Due to the increased safety concerns around the use of drones, it is more important than ever to have a safe and controlled method of deactivating them, or setting up parameters to restrict their access to certain areas of airspace. It is predicted the anti- drone market will be worth $1.14 billion by 2022. With drones proving a threat to landing planes and even world leaders, this is no surprise. Systems need to be in place to provide security against drones. As a land-based system, RF Safe-Stop is
compact and discreet, with stopping ranges of 400 metres when used against drones. This means that a safety ‘barrier’ can be formed where drones cannot enter. Trials have seen success in stopping drones not only alone, but also in pairs, highlighting the effectiveness of the deactivation technology. RF Safe-Stop is also silent, which makes it suitable for covert operations and an ideal tool for drone countermeasures. e2v’s RF Safe-Stop works by emitting S and L band radio frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum. The L band corresponds to frequencies of 1 to 2GHz and the S band covers frequencies of 2 to 4GHz. When directed towards drones/UAVs, boats, cars, motorbikes and commercial vehicles, these pulses cause them to stop within seconds. Non-contact deactivation systems are
Figure 3:
e2v’s RF Safe-Stop overloads the target vehicle’s electronic control unit, causing it to deactivate
revolutionising the ways in which we can protect ourselves from threats. The ability to stop drones/UAVs, boats, cars, motorbikes and commercial vehicles within seconds, means that we can better protect ourselves, our land, our seas and our airspace.
e2v
www.e2v.com T: 0191 414 5511
/ ELECTRONICS
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