A study by zoologists at Oxford University is on the verge of building drone killers that are capable of defending airports, police and military troops from enemy drones. This study which was funded by the US Air Force has established that the features that make falcons one of nature’s most vicious hunters could be applied in the field of drone defense.

Predator’s Features

For the study, the falcons were fitted with very small video cameras and GPS receivers which enabled the researchers to track the mode of attack on their prey.  They also used bait that was attached to a drone for more accurate results. Falcons seize their prey in an approach that is consistent with rules of proportional navigation. This guidance system is what visually-directed missiles use for attack.  In this system, the falcon (or the missile) will get to its target as long as its line of sight remains unimpeded as it closes in. This system has been in use as far back as in the 1950s when the US Navy used it on its AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile.

Superior Falcons

While missiles rely on technology, the falcon relies on its natural ability that makes it even more effective than missiles. It can adjust its angle of attack in relation to its prey as it seeks to compensate for its slower speed of flight. This is one of the features that make it quite suitable to model defensive drones after. The researchers seek to use this research to build small, visually-guided drones that the government will use to disable and dismantle enemy drones.

This research has been quite extensive and has involved 55 attack flights in Wales and is expected to be applied by many governments to fight against the growing danger of unauthorized drones in protected airspace.

The Growing Danger of Aerial Attacks

Drones attacks are becoming a major concern as they can have devastating consequences, making this study crucial and pertinent to the growth of the drone defense sector. While regulations have been passed that have given the military the freedom to take down unauthorized drones, more advanced methods are still needed as the drone industry grows.

Some of the methods that the Pentagon has explored for drone defense include the use of machine gun fire to the more advanced methods such as the use of lasers, jamming of the frequency which cuts out the control and even infiltrating the network being used which enables the military to assume control of these drones.

This study is just one of the many efforts being made to integrate cutting-edge technology with nature to develop the best defensive strategies in the ever-evolving field of aerial technology.

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