Drone Detection at Public Events: A New Safety Threat

Drone detection for events gives security teams early warning of unauthorised drones over stadiums, concert arenas and other public gatherings. Systems such as SkyControl use AI-driven radio frequency scanning and optical sensors to find, track and classify drones as friendly, commercial or potentially malicious, then alert the security team in real time. This article sets out the threats drones now pose to large venues, the types of drones involved and how SkyControl addresses them.

Why Events Need Drone Detection

Drones present several security risks to stadiums, concerts, and public events. These risks include:

• Unauthorised Surveillance: Drones can spy on events and capture sensitive footage of teams, celebrities, or VIPS.
• Weaponisation: Bad actors could use drones to carry explosives, hazardous substances, or other dangerous payloads.
• A single drone can kill thousands, if not 100,000 people, in one attack. For example, a commercially available agricultural drone they use for spraying fields can be purchased off the shelf, filled with a biological weapon, and sprayed on the whole crowd. You could even fill it with fuel and use it to flame-throw the crowd.
• Surveillance of an event or site allows bad actors to find weak points in parameters or even a schedule of guard changeovers and patrols, allowing them to devise an effective plan of attack.
• Airspace Violations: Unauthorised drones pose a collision risk with security helicopters, event infrastructure, or other drones.
• Disruptions and Panic: A drone hovering over a packed stadium can cause fear and confusion, leading to potential stampedes.
• Smuggling Contraband: Drones can be used to drop illicit items such as drugs, weapons, or protest materials into secure areas.
• Hacking & Cyber Threats: Some drones can be used for electronic warfare, jamming communication systems, or launching cyberattacks.

Given these risks, it is imperative to have a robust drone detection system in place to identify and respond to drone threats. At events, detection works best as part of a wider event control setup that brings radio, CCTV and incident management together.

Types of Weaponised Drones

In recent years, drones, initially designed for recreational or professional use, have been weaponised and modified to carry explosives, chemical agents, or contraband, posing significant threats to public events. Commonly used consumer drones, such as DJI’s models, FPV racing drones and fixed-wing VTOL drones, are transformed by individuals with malicious intent to conduct precise payload drops, swarming attacks, and long-range assaults. These weaponised drones represent a new dimension of security challenges, necessitating advanced countermeasures to protect public gatherings.

Weaponised drones can fall into several categories, each posing unique threats. These include:

• Commercial Drones with Modifications: Popular consumer drones (e.g., DJI, Autel, Parrot) can be modified to carry small explosives, chemical agents, or contraband. The payload capacity ranges from 1 to 10 kg, depending on the model. For example, the DJI Matrice 300 is used for smuggling, surveillance, and payload drops.
• FPV (First-Person View) Racing Drones: These are high-speed, manoeuvrable drones used in swarming attacks or precision targeting. They can carry small explosive devices that detonate upon impact, typically modified by non-state actors or terrorists in conflict zones.
• Fixed wing or VTOL Drones: These are used for long-range attacks or loitering munitions. They can carry heavier payloads, including explosive warheads. Custom-built UAVS resembling military drones are examples of such drones.
• Agriculture Drones: Typically used to spray crops. These drones can be repurposed with poison, which has the capability of killing thousands in a few seconds with a quick spray at a sports stadium

How SkyControl Addresses the Issue

SkyControl is introduced to combat the threat of malicious drones at mass gatherings. With the increasing prevalence of drones being weaponised, the potential for security breaches at public events has escalated. SkyControl offers a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (CUAS) designed to help mitigate drone threats effectively. Here’s how it works:

• Advanced Drone Detection: Using AI-driven RF scanning and AI-enhanced optical sensors, SkyControl identifies and tracks unauthorised drones.
• Automatic Threat Classification: The system differentiates between friendly, commercial, and malicious drones, reducing false alarms.
• Electronic Countermeasures: SkyControl can jam unauthorised drones, forcing them to land safely (government use only).
• Real-time Alerts & Integration: Security teams receive instant alerts and can integrate SkyControl with existing surveillance systems.
• Scalability for Large Events: The solution can be customised to cover large venues, including sports stadiums, concert arenas, and city-wide events.
• Compliance with Regulations: SkyControl operates within legal frameworks to ensure safe and responsible drone mitigation.

SkyControl can be deployed in static locations, on vehicles, on vessels, or in the air. This flexibility ensures comprehensive coverage and protection across various environments and scenarios.

By deploying SkyControl, event organisers and security teams can safeguard public gatherings from unauthorised drone intrusions, ensuring safety and uninterrupted operations.

SkyControl in Action

SkyControl provides advanced solutions for detecting and mitigating drone threats in high-risk environments.

Prison Case Study

The deployment of SkyControl at a large correctional facility aimed to address the significant threat posed by unauthorised drones. Prisons are particularly vulnerable to drone intrusions, which can be used to smuggle contraband, facilitate escapes, or conduct unauthorised surveillance. The correctional facility required a robust solution to detect and mitigate these risks, ensuring its inmates’ and staff’s safety and security.

SkyControl was deployed for proof-of-concept (POC), recording detections up to 26 km away. The system provided an alert when a DJI drone was detected in the designated alert zone, tracking the device as if it flew over the prison wall. Movements were meticulously recorded, showing the start and finish positions and the height at which the drone hovered over the facility, which was 112 metres. Analysis of historical data revealed that the same drone had been detected at a nearby house a week before the flight.

By deploying SkyControl, the correctional facility achieved comprehensive drone detection and tracking capabilities, allowing for proactive measures to address unauthorised drone activity. All relevant data was provided to the facility for further analysis, ensuring a robust approach to drone threat mitigation.

Airport Case Study

Sky Control’s deployment at Westcott Technology Park in the UK is a critical example of the importance of drone detection near airports. Airports face significant risks from rogue drones, including aircraft collisions, flight operations disruptions, and potential security breaches. The need for an advanced drone detection system was paramount to ensure airspace safety and prevent unauthorised drone intrusions.

SkyControl demonstrated its capabilities by regularly detecting drones 20-25 km away. In one instance, a drone was detected 46.35 km from the SkyControl passive RF sensor at a height of 1,941.9 metres above the ground. Although not a specific proof-of-concept for an airport, this example highlighted the danger posed by rogue drones near airports. Alerts could have been set to notify security and air traffic control of the immediate threat.

With SkyControl, the airport achieved enhanced drone detection capabilities, providing real-time alerts and comprehensive tracking of unauthorised drones. This proactive approach significantly reduced the risks of rogue drones, ensuring uninterrupted and safe airport operations.

For a further example, read our counter-UAV case study from a private estate in Scotland.

Introducing Comms-Spec: Industry Leader in Drone Defence

SkyControl is a critical investment in protecting stadiums and public events. By implementing AI-driven drone defence, stadiums can mitigate aerial threats, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain uninterrupted operations in an increasingly drone-dominated world. The time to act is now. Secure your stadium and public event with SkyControl.

Comms-Spec stands at the forefront of drone defence technology, leading the industry with innovative solutions to safeguard public events and critical infrastructure. Renowned for its expertise in implementing cutting-edge integrated security systems, Comms-Spec has been instrumental in deploying SkyControl, ensuring comprehensive protection against unauthorised drone intrusions.

With a proven track record in high-risk environments, Comms-Spec has successfully implemented SkyControl in various scenarios, including prisons, airports and a remote private estate in Scotland, proving its effectiveness in mitigating drone threats and enhancing security measures. For more information, contact Kevin Buchler, Global Operations Officer, on +44 (0) 1256 510404 or get in touch online.

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