The US government purchases around 100 poratble drone jammer to protect government facilities, property and personnel. The jammer interferes with the drone's radio controls, avoiding dangerous alternatives involving bullets and other projectiles.
According to Defensetech, Battelle Labs is selling its DroneDefender handheld drone jammer to the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. The jammer, which looks like a cross between an old-school TV antenna and an assault rifle, can stop drones over 400 meters away.
The DroneDefender works by directing radio energy at the drone, thus disrupting the link between the drone and the operator. The jammer operates on common industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) frequency bands. The 2.4 GHz frequency, one of the most common drone control frequencies, is part of the ISM band.
The jammer can also disrupt GPS signals, an important feature of autoguided drones that rely on satellite navigation guidelines. Once stuck, the drone can then be steered to hover into place.
DroneDefender's “soft kill” approach of disabling the drone by cutting off controls and navigation links is preferable to a more kinetic approach - a birdhot loaded rifle, for example. Radio wave energy flow will not hurt people or damage property.
The system weighs fifteen pounds, including a battery backpack, and can be used continuously for up to five hours
DoD and DHS are purchasing a total of 100 DroneDefenders, but will not discuss the specific unit cost or which agencies would receive them.
