Modern counter-drone technologies: a Lithuanian case study
By Donatas Palavenis
More and more advanced UAVs with increasingly complex navigation systems, capable of transporting large loads, are found every day, which allows expanding the functionality of UAVs. UAVs are widely distributed all over the world and are intensively used in different fields including security. They are easily available and can be easily upgraded. Therefore, it is not surprising that C-UAV is becoming more and more relevant in order to protect against UAVs. The war in Ukraine also highlighted the importance of UAVs, and at the same time the necessity of C-UAV systems. During the war, UAVs are often used for intelligence gathering, fire adjustment, data transmission, electronic warfare, and the kinetic destruction of targets.
It is noteworthy that current C-UAV systems are not very reliable against military UAVs, suicide UAVs, and UAVs using artificial intelligence. Currently, C-UAV systems are one step behind UAVs, but in the future, this gap will decrease due to the use of more efficient methods of evidence-gathering and technical analysis.
How do modern C-UAV systems work?
In general, C-UAV systems consist of several components. First of all, the system consists of several sensors, for example electro-optical, thermal, acoustic, radio frequency, and radar, the information received from which are combined in order to increase the probability of detecting and identifying UAVs. C-UAV systems have a management and leadership component, a component of kinetic and non-kinetic impact measures (effectors), and a subsystem of the necessary interfaces that ensures data exchange and continuous operation of the entire system. C-UAV systems also include sets of tools and subsystems that allow recording information and analyzing it later.
Leonardo's C-UAV solution Falcon Shield is used in the UK and Italy
(picture from: shorturl.at/uxzBH)
The following types of sensors are commonly used in C-UAV systems:
• Acoustic/Ultrasonic Sensors – detect UAVs by recognizing the unique sounds their engines make.
• Electro-optical sensors – identify and track UAVs based on their visual representation.
• Infrared Sensors – identify and track UAVs based on their heat signal including low-light conditions, such as at night or under heavy cloud cover.
• Radar – detects UAV based on a unique radar signature, which is produced when the UAV collides with the radio frequency pulses emitted by the emitting element. The radar additionally uses algorithms aimed at distinguishing UAV from other small, low-flying objects, e.g. birds
• Radio frequency sensors - detect electromagnetic signals in the environment and search for UAVs or their operators emitting specific signals.
• LiDAR – similar to radar, LiDAR detects UAVs based on signals returning from reflected UAVs. Unlike radar, LiDAR uses a different type of frequency.
Effectors used in C-UAV systems:
• Radio frequency jamming – the radio frequency communication between the UAV and its operator is disrupted.
• Disturbance of the global navigation system – the signal received by the UAV from the satellite used for navigation is disturbed.
• Spoof - allows control or redirect of a UAV by giving it a fake connection or navigation link.
• Dazzling – using a high-intensity light beam or laser "dazzles" the UAV camera.
• Use of a laser – by using directed energy, important segments or sensors of the UAV body are affected.
• Use of high power microwaves – directs a pulse of high-intensity microwave energy to the UAV thereby disabling the UAV's electronic systems.
• Using nets - designed to physically entangle the UAV and its rotors.
• Using ammunition of various calibers and modifications.
• Using guided missiles.
• Colliding UAV – a specially designed UAV to collide with an opponent's UAV.
Global trends and competencies of Lithuanian manufacturers
The global market of C-UAV systems is dominated by manufacturers from forty countries, which are located in the USA (occupying 33% of the C-UAV market), the UK (10%), and Israel (7%). More than half of the C-UAVs produced use passive sensors, and the systems are almost always designed to operate from the ground. It is noteworthy that half of the systems use two or more types of sensors. 40% of the C-UAV systems use radars, 40% - electro-optical and infrared sensors, and 13% C-UAV use acoustic sensors to detect the opponent UAV. As for the use of effectors in C-UAVs, the most popular are non-kinetic effectors (71%), of which radio frequency (51%) or global navigation system (31%) jammers are most often used. Only 11% of all C-UAVs rely on kinetic impact effectors, while 7% of C-UAVs are using colliding UAVs. It should be noted that some C-UAV or sensor solutions offered on the market have not yet reached the necessary level of technological development to fully protect against the contemporary UAV threat.
US companies produce mobile and deployable C-UAV systems that have an installed electronic warfare system and kinetic effectors (30 mm cannon and Coyote Block2 missile)
(pictures from: shorturl.at/bCJPX; shorturl.at/hkstQ)
Lithuanian manufacturers are also active in the C-UAV market and can offer individual and integrated solutions. The most well-known is JSC "NT Service", which manufactures portable effectors that interfere with radio frequencies, "EDM4S", and can offer stationary systems operating within a radius of up to 10 km, as well as mobile solutions. In the solutions offered by "NT Service", UAV is determined using radar, electro-optical, and radio frequency sensors. Research in this field is also carried out by the Baltic Institute of Advanced Technologies together with partners participating in the EU Defense Fund project "Joint European System for Countering Unmanned Aerial Systems" (JEY-CUAS). This project aims to improve existing technologies at the subsystem and system level, which would be combined using TSI's modular architecture. Researchers and employees of the Baltic Institute of Advanced Technologies are developing an artificial intelligence-based solution that will allow the detection of UAVs using synthesized data deriving from electro-optical sensors and radars specialized for UAV detection, and capable to distinguish UAV objects from other extraneous objects.
Production and use of portable effector "EDM4S" produced by JSC "NT Service" that interferes with radio frequencies
(pictures from: shorturl.at/bouD3)
Future threats and technological changes enabling wider UAV usage
The future threats are mainly associated with UAV swarms, the operation of which will be synchronized using artificial intelligence, so an attack will be possible from all directions at the same time. In addition to what we can see now, UAVs will be armed with various types of kinetic effectors that will be able to inflict substantial damage. As UAV engines will become larger and more efficient, the number of explosives delivered and the distance to the impact point will also increase. UAVs will be more resistant to air defense, as autonomous systems will be used, so the need to exchange data during the flight will be reduced. This will reduce the chance of detecting a radio signature. In addition, the latest trends in the development of military UAVs indicate that newly developed UAV fuselage can weaken the acoustic, radar, infrared and visual signatures.
Currently, a lot of attention is paid to increasing the level of UAV automation. It is expected that in the near future, many UAVs will be able to perceive the environment from contextual data, independently avoid collisions with nearby UAVs or other obstacles, and will be able to operate harmoniously in a swarm by coordinating actions among themselves.
The massive proliferation of suicide UAVs with embedded artificial intelligence algorithms that do not require human intervention before destroying targets will be another challenge. As a result, between the first UAV detection and the coordinated attack by the UAV swarm, there will be a very short period of time during which the defense systems will have to independently neutralize the threats.
Soldiers of the United Kingdom's special operations forces are training to control swarms of drones
(picture from: shorturl.at/bCQXY)
It is believed that in the future, UAV swarms will increase and consist not only of UAVs of the same type and size, but rather large and small UAVs equipped with different weapons and sensors. For example, a swarm of at least a thousand units of UAVs, in which a part of the UAVs will use sensors to identify and track targets, sharing information with the rest of the swarm; other UAVs will perform electronic warfare tasks; and the remaining UAVs will neutralize the identified targets.
In terms of data exchange between the UAV and the control center, the new 5G network, which is already being deployed, offers faster data downloads and extremely low latency. This allows for a real-time connection when, for example, Ultra HD 4K quality video streams can be transmitted. The mentionedsystem also allows the connection of augmented reality systems. Artificial intelligence and machine learning systems will be used to process such large amounts of data. It is believed that the 6G standard, which is still being developed, will allow the emergence of a new type of navigation system, which will allow UAVs to work effectively indoors and further improve the performance of UAVs in the swarm.
How will C-UAV systems develop in the future?
Manufacturers and researchers of C-UAV systems operating in the market offer innovations, but in many cases, it is seen that the proposed technological solutions require even technological maturity, which still requires a certain period of time to reach.
As technologies develop, other important UAV parameters allowing their identification must be evaluated. In terms of radar technology, it is known that UAV reflections on a radar screen depend on its overall dimensions. Currently, researchers are working to expand the limits of identification and want UAV features such as materials used, size, and the number of propellers to be assessed by analyzing radar reflections. All UAVs have a certain acoustic signature, which depends on the size of the UAV, its speed, the number of rotors used, the size, and the number of revolutions. Although an acoustic signature can be easily measured, its identification is greatly influenced by the environment, i.e. wind, precipitation, terrain, and vegetation. In order to reduce the acoustic noise and identify the UAV signature, new technologies and methodologies are being searched for. In addition, not only the quality of the cameras used but also their ability to follow the dynamically moving UAV has a significant influence on UAV recognition, if it is identified visually. Attention is also paid to the determination of the infrared signature when different types of UAVs are used and if the UAVs operate during the day. Currently, more and more UAV manufacturers are using directional antennas, which allows them to reduce the emitted radio frequency signature. In addition, the radio signature emitted by the internal electrical component of the newly developed UAVs is low, so researchers are seeking to discover new techniques to identify low-emission radio frequency signatures.
A part of the L-MADIS air defense system installed on a US Marine Corps light-terrain vehicle
(picture from: shorturl.at/aESTU)
Due to technological changes, improvements will also be required in all stages of the C-UAV system (preparation-prevention-situational awareness-response-actions after the event).
In the preparation stage, more detailed knowledge of the surrounding environment will be required, so the initial arrangement of sensors and effectors will be very important, which will have to be situated in the expected directions of the approach of the opponent's UAV, the electromagnetic compatibility of the equipment used for neutralization and the equipment used by own forces. In addition, the integration of the C-UAV system with other available sensor subsystems and control and command systems has to be considered.
At the prevention stage, a set of measures will have to be used to reduce the probability of the incident and the amount of potential damage. This stage includes such active and passive measures as regulatory laws, permits, warning signs, pilot's licenses, and intelligence.
The situation awareness, namely the exact knowledge of the layout of the UAVs participating in the battle, has to be improved. There will be a need not only for new sensors but also for connecting them to the network. Innovative algorithms and parts of control subsystems have to be developed.
It is assumed that a new type of countermeasures, sets of measures, or single effectors will be needed, which will have to be cheap and quickly prepared for operation, as well as measures that will allow predicting the intention of the UAV. The new generation of response systems will have to have the option of using several effectors in order not to consume more resources than what is needed to neutralize a specific type of UAV. It is likely that due to the need to respond in a very short period of time, decisions would be made by a fully automated system operating without much human intervention.
The stage of action after the event is intended for a methodical and detailed analysis of the event that occurred, so in the future, it will be aimed to improve the efficiency of gathering information, as well as the research of human responses to certain events. Future C-UAV systems should allow the recording of events and their reproduction for analysis purposes on a 3D geographic display. In addition, the system should protect physical and digital evidence.
Preparation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces for technological change in the UAV/C-UAV environment
Since 2016, the Lithuanian Armed Forces have been consistently developing the capabilities of the UAV and C-UAV systems. Also from 2021, the development of the capability of suicide UAVs has begun.
UAV products of the US company Aerovironment
(picture from: shorturl.at/AMUV6)
From open sources, it is known about the latest UAV acquisitions of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. US-made combat drone systems "Switchblade 600" and "Switchblade 300" are available for purchase. Currently, 26 sets of "mini" and nine sets of "small" type UAVs are still under public procurement for a total of 36 million euros. It is likely that the Lithuanian Armed Forces will expand the UAV park by acquiring Class III UAV systems, which will give Lithuanian soldiers greater freedom of action during the conflict. In this case, the possibility of purchasing US-made "MQ-9A/B" and "MQ-1C ER" models or UAV systems of other NATO/EU manufacturers would be evaluated. It should be mentioned that the Lithuanian Armed Forces does not always seek to purchase UAVs from the shelf, but also creates conditions for local manufacturers, research centers, and enthusiasts to develop and offer national UAV solutions. E.g. in 2022, a tender of up to 300 thousand euros was announced for the development of a tactical-level flying projectile capable to destroy lightly armored vehicles or/and manpower on the battlefield. The project has to be completed within 27 months.
Regarding the capabilities of C-UAV systems, it is reported that "NT Service" according to the agreement signed on 2022 March, and valued at 4 million euros will provide the Lithuanian Armed Forces with multiple C-UAV systems of various configurations designed to protect military units and infrastructure from UAV threat. The acquired systems will consist of UAV detection, recognition, and neutralization modules. In addition, it is known that the Lithuanian Armed Forces received C-UAV equipment from the USA for 1.3 million US dollars, and that "Wingman-105" and "Watchdog 200" UAV recognition systems were purchased separately from the Danish company "MyDefence Communication".
Portable type UAV identifying stations "Wingman-105" manufactured by the Danish company "MyDefence Communications"
(picture from: shorturl.at/izL48)
It should be mentioned that in addition to the specific UAV and C-UAV equipment currently being purchased, the Lithuanian Armed Forces has a fully functioning air defense system. It consists of mobile and stationary radars, command centers, short- and medium-range air defense systems that can detect, identify and neutralize all types of UAVs. The mentioned air defense system is constantly improved and supplemented with new elements. For example, in 2022 October a contract was signed with the Swedish company "SAAB Dynamics AB" for the purchase of "Bolide" and "MK-2" type missiles fitted with the "RBS-70" short-range anti-aircraft missile system.
In the future, the aim for the Lithuanian Armed Forces must be not only to acquire the best solutions but also to effectively integrate the existing air defense and surveillance systems with the new C-UAV systems. Great attention must be paid to the proper distribution of resources throughout the defense depth and their integration with NATO forces.
Minister of National Defense participating in "Drone Day 2022"
(picture from: shorturl.at/djGHQ)
It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania pays more and more attention to local producers by organizing national and educational events. One of the last such events took place in 2022 August in Kyviškis airfield. On "Drone Day 2022", national manufacturers presented their UAV and C-UAV products, systems, and ongoing research. The cooperation established at this event should continue to develop, as it would allow the Lithuanian Armed Forces not only to purchase equipment offered by manufacturers "off the shelf" but also to properly utilize the potential of the national defense industry and research centers.