Following yesterday’s BBC coverage of ongoing airspace disruption across Europe, and new warnings from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that “it’s not a question of if, only of when” Britain’s airports will face disruption from organized drone attacks, incidents near critical national infrastructure once again highlight the escalating challenges around detection and airspace security.
In response to this developing story, Dr Damien Clarke, Head of Data Science at Plextek, says:
“Modern defence and security operations increasingly depend on control of the electromagnetic spectrum, which underpins sensing, communications, and situational awareness. As recent conflicts and technological advances have shown, the ability to detect, identify, and respond to emerging aerial threats, from drones to electronic interference, relies on rapid innovation across both hardware and software systems.”
“Small drones in particular present a growing challenge for critical national infrastructure because they’re difficult to detect and can appear suddenly in restricted areas. The most effective way to identify and track them is through sensor fusion. Sensor fusion allows for a combination of radar with cameras or other sensors, offering a more complete situational picture. When radar is fused with a camera, the system gains the advantage of combining radar’s robust motion and distance sensing with the camera’s rich visual information. Even when operating in complex or cluttered environments, this approach can be key to maintaining situational awareness and security.”
Dr Clarke is available for an interview or comment to provide further insight into this story or any related stories which may be of interest.