Page 32 - FCW, February 2016

BackStory Homing in on
drone defense
With increasingly powerful unmanned aerial systems now available and affordable, the risks go far beyond hostile nation-states and careless hobbyists. A new report details the myriad threats already emerging and the range of defenses that might soon be required.
POTENTIAL PILOTS
The lone wolf
Last April, a man landed a drone on the roof of the Japanese prime minister’s office in Tokyo; the drone carried a bottle of radioactive sand from Fukushima.
Terrorist organizations
Hezbollah and Hamas have long used unmanned aerial vehicles, and Israeli defense forces have shot down multiple drones.The Islamic State group is also using UAVs — so far only for reconnaissance and target acquisition.
Organized crime groups
The Drug Enforcement Administration has documented roughly 150 drone trips across the U.S. border since 2010. An estimated two tons of illegal drugs have been delivered into the U.S. by drone.
Rogue corporations
Industrial espionage, malware distribution via Wi-Fi and crowd dispersal are among the concerns. An international mining company reportedly bought 25 drones armed with rapid-fire paintball guns in 2014.
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TARGET TYPES
Long-term static
A government building, power plant or other critical infrastructure.
Temporary static
A political convention, international summit or speech by a politician.
Mobile
An elected official’s car, military convoy or public bus.
COUNTERMEASURE
REGULATORY:
Licensing
Import restrictions
No-fly zones
(and firmware to enforce them)