Adding Clarity to the Problem
As the use of drones increases, then the wide-ranging threat, from simple mistakes made by hobbyists straying into congested air traffic zones, through to sophisticated terrorist action against Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), becomes ever more real. However, it must also be recognised that, while unauthorised drone interventions may have catastrophic effects on safety, operations and costs, the requirements different site will be different. For many organisations, the likely excessive cost of installing one of the currently available Detect, Track, Identify and Effect (DTIE) systems may be off-putting, as well as technically and legally difficult. Further, the performance of many such systems is limited, by the very nature of the threat (small and difficult to detect), the site (topographical and environmental factors) and operational/training efficiencies. To solve this problem in a truly cost- and operationally-effective manner, a thorough technical understanding, a realistic and robust approach to risk and a scalable process to achieving specified (and agreed) aims and objectives is required.
At Aerotech, with many years of experience in the military Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures domains, we fundamentally understand the extent of the problem, and the need for a structured and scalable response, tailored to the specific threat, individual site constraints and organisational budgets.
Identifying the need for a process which caters for a range of responses, from a very basic increase in on-site security, through to a full-blown installation of a multi-sensor CUAS DTIE system, and drawing on a combined 75 years of Operational Analysis (OA), requirements capture and operational and flight test experience, Aerotech has leveraged its strength and depth in OA to develop its Scalable CUAS Assessment of Risk (SCAR) – a proprietary process for the assessment of site risk from UAS. SCAR takes current UK Government C-UAS advice on Countering Threats from Unmanned Aerial Systems, and adds the vital detail and site-specific analysis to provide a truly ALARP (As Low as Reasonably Practicable) solution to organisations’ needs.
SCAR, as the name suggests, is designed from the outset to be scaleable to the site/operator needs – the process can be entered at any of the four main stages shown above, with entry and exist requirements clearly defined. SCAR‘s cyclic nature means that as the threat evolves, then the process is simply refreshed – the benefits of this process to a fixed site in particular are considerable in terms of the update rate, particularly against a rapidly evolving UAS backdrop.
Recognising the wide-ranging nature of the threat, SCAR is system-agnostic, and applicable to both civil and military installations. Aerotech is not affiliated with any equipment manufacturers, therefore recommendations regarding system installation (if required) address the entirety of the (fast evolving) market for DTIE systems. However, for more sophisticated threats, and recognising the limitations of current off-the-shelf systems, where client budget allows, ALARP may demand the development of bespoke solutions. Again, as the name suggests, the scalability of SCAR encompasses a rigorous System Engineering (SE) approach to Response Development (RD), leading into an industry-recognised system Validation and Verification (V&V) process. This supports the development of technical and non-technical solutions – we believe it is critical to capture the entirety of the system, including manpower and training. Utilising this process, sites and organisations can achieve a truly bespoke, proportionate and affordable, C-UAS response, fully tested and with the benefit of a cyclic process which is always ahead of the threat.
If you are interested in learning more about SCAR, please get in touch, we would be happy to tell you more about how we can help you protect your organisation against the threat of UAS. If you are interested in learning more about SCAR, then please contact us via the link below.
