The advent of relatively inexpensive recreational unmanned aerial vehicles in 2014 effectively marked the dawn of a post-privacy world for yachts that cruise near shore or frequent popular anchorages. Fortunately, Martek’s Anti-Drone System allows properly equipped owners to electronically reclaim their privacy using CE-approved technologies.
Most recreational drones communicate with their wireless controllers using two radio frequency bands. These typically include the 5.8 GHz frequency band, which is commonly used to transmit the UAV’s real-time video feed, and the 2.4 GHz band, which is typically used to transmit flight-control signals and maintain constant RF communications between the UAV and its wireless control device.
Critically, most consumer drones are designed to land or “return home” if RF contact with their controllers is lost. Technically speaking, this means that these 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz transmissions—which can be discovered, identified, tracked, and electronically exploited using RF detectors and antennas from long distances—represent a key electronic vulnerability for UAVs.
M.A.D.S. (call for pricing) is the world’s first marine-specific anti-drone system, and it is comprised of two 70-by-75-centimeter, IP67-rated radomes, a PC and software interface.
The detection dome passively discovers, identifies and tracks any drones (and their users) operating on all 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz signals, while the defeat dome electronically neutralizes a UAV’s ability to send and receive its 2.4 GHz control signals or transmit its 5.8 GHz video stream.
Both domes provide 360- by-180-degree coverage around and above the yacht—and M.A.D.S. can detect, identify and track multiple drones from distances exceeding 3 miles, and electronically defeat them at a range of roughly 3,280 feet. Best yet, M.A.D.S. automatically enforces an electronic exclusion zone around the yacht, or it can prompt the owner to press a red, drone-defeating button. —-David Schmidt