By Yaniv Mendelson and Robert Tabbara
Today, law enforcement is being increasingly tasked with protecting large, high-profile events from an emerging threat: drones. According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s ongoing UAS Sightings Report, over 400 sightings were reported from July to September of 2024. While not all of these drones were seen at or around large events, the statistics point to a changing threat domain that includes both ground and air incursions.
More so, the proliferation of these small aircraft by bad actors or reckless hobbyists has been making headline news. A recent example includes the highly-publicized drone sighting at the Baltimore Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium in January, causing the National Football League (NFL) to rethink its security strategy leading up to the Super Bowl LVIII.
Another high-profile drone sighting took place at a jam-packed Green Day concert, boasting over 40,000 attendees. When security saw a drone soaring over the show, the band was rushed off the stage and the performance was halted until the threat was assessed. Luckily, neither of these situations resulted in any bodily harm, but the potential for something more threatening was not lost on those tasked to secure the event spaces.
With such an increase in sightings and much speculation around the potential for harm these aircraft can cause, drones, also referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are posing a new set of security challenges for event organizers and law enforcement alike. This is especially true considering that current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) law prohibits police and security from stopping a drone in flight, even if it poses a clear and immediate threat, as these smaller aircraft hold the same protections as any other aircraft operating in the National Airspace System (NAS).
Criminal actors can use drones to cause myriad disruptions, including everything from delaying the game or concert to evacuating a venue, to more serious and dangerous scenarios such as smuggling in contraband or carrying out targeted attacks. These concerns are exacerbated by the fact that drones are increasingly able to carry larger payloads, raising their potential to transport weapons or bombs into crowded spaces.
In the fight against unauthorized drone activity, teamwork between event security, state and local law enforcement, and federal law enforcement has never been more critical. At the heart of this collaboration is drone detection technology, which provides an essential line of defense for identifying and mitigating risks posed by unauthorized UAVs and accessing the kind of data necessary for law enforcement to locate and apprehend operators.
How multi-layered drone detection technology works
Drone detection technology uses a variety of sensors to identify and track UAVs in real-time and is commonly referred to as a “multi-layered approach” for this reason. Each type of sensor offers its own unique capabilities, making them collectively more effective at identifying drones when integrated into a comprehensive detection system than any one could be on its own. The most commonly used sensors can be broken down into three main categories:
- Radar: Radar is the core provider of data that informs and validates all the other sensors used in the multi-layered approach. Since it is not reliant on the drone’s communication system for detection, it’s considered an essential sensor layer that’s crucial in detecting drones of all sizes, speeds, and classification. Modern radar systems are also known for their precision and are designed to detect small, erratic aircraft like drones no matter the weather or lighting conditions, all the while filtering out non-relevant objects such as birds.
- Optical sensors: Cameras, especially pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ), help security teams put “eyes on target” to observe drone flight patterns and observe details about the drone more closely. For example, a PTZ can help an observer determine if the drone is carrying a camera or a payload, with the information further aiding the team in determining suspected intent and required action. Cameras work best in conjunction with radar, due to a camera’s inability to retain target lock in inclement weather and some lighting situations.
- Radio Frequency (RF) Sensors: Unlike radar, RF sensors are dependent on the drone’s communication system for detection and operate by intercepting the radio signals between the drone and its controller. By triangulating the position of the signal, RF sensors can locate both the drone and, in some cases, the pilot.
All high-performance drone detection technology solutions use a combination of at least two of the above sensors. An effective solution provides comprehensive coverage and actionable data that helps law enforcement assess the threat, engage in rapid defensive maneuvers, and in some cases identify the location of the drone pilot.
The proliferation of “dark drones” and the ever-growing role of radar
Law enforcement must make a special consideration for the alarming emergence of “dark drones,” or drones that aren’t detected through RF sensors. Increasingly, nefarious drone operators are becoming privy to the ease with which they can manipulate a commercial drone (typically just a couple of hundred dollars to buy at an electronics store) to fly without tipping off RF sensors. With just a little digging around on YouTube or Reddit, operators can easily find advice on how to modify their drone to do just that.
This means that any drone detection technology solution that relies solely on RF sensors is left with a massive vulnerability, allowing such aircraft to fly completely undetected and inviting cunning operators to have free range over the security perimeter. This is where radar plays an essential role in filling the gaps of detection that RF sensors cannot. As the only all-weather, all-lighting, and non-RF-dependent sensor on the market, radar provides the “catch-all” detection layer needed to ensure that no drone goes undetected.
Further, when selecting radar for law enforcement security deployments, teams should consider that not all small form factor radar perform the same. Some are designed for ground threats that move slowly. Some have moving parts and pieces that may impact operational reliability. To effectively detect and track fast-moving drones, the radar should be proven proficient in drone detection and tracking, be able to track multiple drones at once, and have software that offers a rapid data refresh rate and integrates well with other sensors and systems used by the agency - RF detection, cameras, video management systems (VMS), and others.
Crucial data gathered by a drone detection solution
HIgh-performance drone detection systems collect a wealth of data that is instrumental for law enforcement when assessing and responding to unauthorized UAV activity. Each sensor type provides unique insights into the drone’s behavior and helps identify its operator. The key data gathered by drone detection systems can be broken down into the following groups:
- Position, movement patterns, altitude and speed: High-performance radar sensors provide the most accurate data for detecting a drone’s location, flight path and movement in real-time. A single radar panel can track the drone’s altitude, position and speed, offering law enforcement critical information to assess whether the drone is violating restricted airspace or behaving suspiciously, such as loitering or flying erratically. Optical sensors complement radar by providing visual confirmation of the drone’s behavior. A multi-panel RF detection solution can also track a drone’s flight and provide location data.
- Drone ID and make/model: When commercial drones transmit specific RF signals that allow law enforcement to identify their make and model, RF sensors can capture a drone’s unique identifier and technical details. However, if the drone does not emit an RF signal, such as the aforementioned dark drones (aka silent drones), RF systems will not detect the drone nor provide the ID or make and model of the drone.
- Pilot location: RF sensors can help locate the drone’s operator by analyzing the signal strength between the drone and its controller. Detection systems triangulate these signals (often using GPS or Wi-Fi) to pinpoint the pilot’s location, whether they’re operating nearby or remotely. With a clear line of sight, radar can also track a drone out to its point of descent, providing data to aid law enforcement in locating the drone pilot.
- Payload detection: Optical sensors, often enhanced with infrared or thermal capabilities, are used to visually inspect a drone’s payload. Once the radar provides a lock on the target, these optical sensors can determine whether the drone is carrying suspicious items like contraband or weapons, helping law enforcement escalate their response as necessary.
The vital role of law enforcement in combating drone incursions
Even though private security, event organizers, and local law enforcement can deploy drone detection systems to monitor the airspace, only a few government agencies are empowered to take mitigative action - stopping or capturing the drone in flight. However, drone detection technology is critical for identifying the presence of a UAV, observing its behavior and intent, and taking localized action that keeps the public safe. With data and visual confirmation of the drone’s behavior, security teams can make informed decisions as to whether they should continue watching, approach the operator and ask them to leave the airspace or assist event attendees in evacuating.
When an owner of certain drone makes/modes signs the manufacturer’s end user license agreement (EULA), law enforcement has permission to access the drone’s registered user information using RF detection. Access to details about the registered owner, make/model and flight details can help law enforcement identify the pilot’s location. Law enforcement may also collaborate with drone manufacturers and regulators to retrieve pilot registration data or, if necessary and the drone is unregistered, obtain warrants to access drone telemetry logs as part of gathering evidence needed for prosecution.
It is important to restate that current FAA law prevents state and local law enforcement from stopping a drone in flight. This means police cannot shoot down, hack, crash, or otherwise interfere with the drone while it’s airborne, even if it poses a clear threat. Instead, law enforcement must rely on other defensive mitigative tactics once a drone is detected. These tactics include:
- Locating and apprehending the pilot: Law enforcement can use RF tracking, radar signals, or a physical search of the area identified by the detection system to locate the pilot and detain them for questioning or further action.
- Halting the event or game: If a threat is imminent, law enforcement can work with event organizers to stop the event to minimize risk to attendees, protecting large crowds from potential harm.
- Evacuating the venue: In cases where the drone is suspected of carrying dangerous materials such as contraband, weapons, or explosives, law enforcement can coordinate with event security and emergency services to evacuate attendees and establish a safety perimeter.
- Alert the FBI/permitted agencies for interception: Since state and local law enforcement are unable to intercept a drone in flight in any way, shape, or form under current law, they can instead take the information they have gathered through the drone detection system and pass it along to the FBI and other permitted agencies to take action to mitigate the drone threat by physical means.
By acting swiftly and coordinating with security personnel and federal bodies, law enforcement can significantly reduce the potential harm caused by unauthorized drones, even though they cannot directly neutralize the UAV themselves.
The critical importance of drone detection technology for large-scale events
As drones become more advanced and widespread, they bring both new possibilities and significant risks, especially at large, high-profile events. The rising number of drone-related incidents underscores the immediate need for effective tools that enable law enforcement to detect and respond to these evolving threats.
Drone detection technology offers a robust, multi-layered defense, providing invaluable data such as a drone’s position, movement, and pilot location. While this technology is essential for monitoring the airspace, it is law enforcement’s unique legal authority that helps transform detection into action. Law enforcement officers are some of the only professionals empowered to identify and apprehend operators, making them a critical link in mitigating drone threats.
As drone threats continue to grow and evolve, equipping law enforcement with detection capabilities will be increasingly vital to protecting large gatherings from the risks posed by unauthorized UAVs. By integrating drone detection systems with law enforcement
Resources
- FAA: Drone Sightings Near Airports
- FAA: LE Guidance for Suspected Unauthorized UAS Operations
- FAA: How to Register Your Drone
About the authors
Yaniv Mendelson is the Director of Business Development at Echodyne, a leader in cutting-edge radar technologies. With over 20 years of experience in business development, sales, system integration and project management, Yaniv has consistently driven the adoption of advanced radar and sensing solutions across dynamic, high-stakes industries. Before joining Echodyne, Yaniv held senior leadership roles at Xsight Systems, a global pioneer in Foreign Object Debris (FOD) detection radar, and Gilat Satellite Networks, where he specialized in advanced antenna systems. Yaniv holds a Master of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering with a specialty in radar technologies, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Tel Aviv University. His blend of technical expertise and strategic leadership continues to shape innovation and growth in the radar and sensing landscape.
Robert Tabbara is the CEO and founder of AirSight, a leading UAV security software company providing airspace detection solutions for critical infrastructure, universities, stadiums and more. With over 20 years of experience in security technology and business leadership, Robert established AirSight in 2003 to address evolving security challenges following the 9/11 attacks. Under his leadership, AirSight has expanded its footprint across the U.S. and internationally, offering innovative drone detection solutions to Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Robert is an active member of InfraGard and serves on the advisory board of OTTOGEE Inc.
