Technology

Posted on September 11, 2019 by staff

BT launches anti-drone tech with DroneShield

Technology

BT has launched a ‘counter drone’ solution which it hopes will give organisations the ability to detect and identify drones breaching airspace and site limits.

The solution, provided by its enterprise unit, uses sensor technology to identify drones and includes countermeasures to be used when legal.

These countermeasures, which require government authorisation before use, include signal blockers which stop signals to and from a drone pilot from up to 1.5km away.

BT said the detection system has a range of up to 5km, and can provide 360 degree detection which will provide early warnings to site security.

The solution is being delivered in partnership with drone detection firm DroneShield, which has previously provided its tech to the 2019 Olympic Games in South Korea, The British Army, and US Department of Defence.

Simon Wingrove, director of strategy and incubation at BT said unwanted drone activity poses a real risk to safety.

“We believe that this partnership between BT and DroneShield will provide our customers with a best-in-class, integrated and secure drone detection solution,” he said.

“With BT’s world leading expertise in communications and networked IT services and DroneShield’s expertise in the counter-drone space, we are able to provide organisations with the security they need to detect and respond to unwanted drones before they become an issue.”

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield’s CEO, added: “The recent disruptions at Gatwick and Heathrow airports have underscored the importance of counter drone capabilities for the UK’s critical infrastructure, as well as the fact that a range of corporate and public sector operators including security and law enforcement agencies, prisons, venues and events, data centres, VIPs, and many others, are at risk from rogue drone use.

“We are excited to work with BT to assist this global leader in infrastructure security with delivering solutions based on our experience in the rapidly-developing counter drone industry.”