No Drone’s Sky: Full Spectrum Drone Surveillance and Neutralisation Concept for Enhanced Counter-UAS Framework

We are living in an era that is marked by the exponential growth of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), therefore the imperative for effective countermeasures against potential threats to public safety, national security, and individual privacy inherent in these airborne apparatus has become increasingly pronounced. Following the foundational exploration of UAS surveillance in the first segment of the Counter-UAS (C-UAS) series, this second instalment shifts its gaze to the pivotal domain of drone neutralisation techniques. Investigating both soft and hard neutralisation methodologies, this study aims to unravel the intricate landscape of strategies devised to legally and securely incapacitate, disrupt, or assume control over sUAS threats. Drawing from a rich tapestry of existing literature and recent research endeavours, this paper embarks on an expedition through a spectrum of neutralisation approaches subjecting the aforementioned methodologies to rigorous scrutiny regarding their efficacy and other implications, in order to contribute substantively to the development of a resilient C-UAS framework. Moreover, this study lays the groundwork for the third part of this C-UAS series, where the author shall unfurl a vision of operation. Besides elucidating the challenges and opportunities inherent in the neutralisation of small drone threats, this study also aims to catalyse collaboration within the research community, dedicated to ensuring the secure coexistence within the airspace system.