Hacking module – innovation in drones prevention

The number and type of drones in use is increasing rapidly. Their production technology is developing either. Each day drones are getting smaller, faster and more difficult to detect. Nowadays commercial drones are representing a major security risk in many situations, including critical infrastructure and strategic facilities, airports, prisons, government facilities, military bases, VIP facilities/protection and more. Drones are a new threat which has not been taken into account so far, and which must be now incorporated into security systems.

Over the last few years, we have witnessed many minor but also several major incidents involving dangerous drones activity. Since 2018, when the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the United States started recording drones incidents, 23 incidents had been recorded already in the first year. In 2019, the number increased up to 57 incidents. Airports also experienced negative effects of drones incidents. Hours of delay, high financial losses and thousands of dissatisfied passengers were the result of no adequate anti-drone protection existing at the time. These are just a few examples out of a long list with several thousand of records. Many of the incidents have been left unrecorded, especially in the area of civil infrastructure.

Are there effective ways to protect ourselves from drones?

Of course there are. This is what the Hertz Systems’ counter-drone system was developed for. It consists of detectors, neutralizers and a monitoring center. The HAWK counter-drone system is developed on the basis of the latest technology and present-day solutions.
Last month the HAWK system has been enriched with a hacking module dedicated for densely built-up areas. This advanced solution automatically detects, locates and identifies “foe” drones and takes control over commercial drones, by pushing them away from the protected zone or enabling them to land safely at a predefined zone, without interfering with other legal drones and without impacting Wi-Fi and GPS communication signals.

The hacking module is a solution that employs a non-jamming, non-kinetic technology, independent of the line-of-sight. The system comes in a wide range of deployment configurations.
It is designed to provide complete operational flexibility and provide end-to-end counter-drone capabilities in any scenario, in a dense or open terrain environment.

How does this translate into practice?

The hacking module passively and continuously scans and detects unique communication signals used by commercial drones. Once detected, the system extracts the drone identifiers for Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) and decodes the telemetry signal to determine the drone’s position with GPS accuracy as well as its take-off position (near the pilot) in real time.

While an unauthorized drone enters a protected area, the module transmits a unique signal that takes control over a “foe” drone, and at the same time disconnects a signal from the drone’s operator, preventing him from reprogramming or interfering with programmed data. Once control is taken over, the module transmits a repulsive signal, which makes the drone to return to the starting position in accordance with the behavior planned by its operator in case of communication loss, or directs the drone on a predefined safe route, making the drone to land in a specified, safe location. As a result of taking control over the „foe” drone, the drone operator (pilot) loses all control over the drone, it ceases to receive telemetry information and video without possibility to regain control over the drone during the whole process. The system transmits only a precise and short signal, that takes control over the drone without interfering with other drones and communication signals.

The hacking module is based on an RF sensor powered by Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technology, which ensures its full flexibility and future readiness for upcoming threats. It supports the most advanced patented radio protocols for long-range drones, with a unique ability to reprogramme them to fly a new route for safe landing.
The module has the ability to simultaneously handle multiple drones flying in both manual and automatic mode (autopilot).

The module is designed to handle all standard and proprietary radio technologies used by commercial drones. The system provider ensures a service of continuous software update, enabling an up-to-date response to new drones models and radio components made by DIY enthusiasts.

The HAWK counter-drone system is available in stationary and mobile versions. Recently, the functionality of hacking has been gaining more and more interest from uniformed services, the army and critical infrastructure. The hacking module is the answer to the needs reported by our customers during implementations, demonstrations and tests.

What qualities do our customers pay particular attention to?

• Takes control over “foe” drones. The hacking module allows the drone to be reprogrammed, directed to a new route and forced to land in a controlled and safe manner.
• Possibility to control a swarm of drones.
• Determines the location where the operator takes off and stays.
• Constant software update. Quick system adaptation to new models of drones and “self-made” drones.