The future of airspace safety: Enforceair's role in mitigating airport drone threats

Zohar Halachmi is the chairman and CEO at D-Fend Solutions. Before co-founding D-Fend Solutions, he was the founder and CEO of two mobile and enterprise application start-up companies. He also held VP and C-level positions at Amdocs and ECI Telecom (global and public telecommunication enterprises).

While managing multi-disciplinary large and small-scale organisations, Zohar created fast-growth and profitable businesses, bringing innovative solutions and services to the market. He graduated cum laude with a B.Sc. from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and M.Sc. from Tel Aviv University, and was a lecturer at both institutions.

Zohar Halachmi: The drone threat to airports has become increasingly significant in recent years, posing various risks to aviation safety and security. EnforceAir is designed to confront these evolving challenges.

The potential types of rogue drone incidents at airports vary in nature and scope. Accidental intrusions could come from inexperienced operators flying drones near airports, often unaware of restrictions. Deliberate disruptions may come from intentional drone flights, which could cause chaos, leading to airport closures and flight delays.

Drones can be used in criminal activities such as nearby smuggling of contraband or conducting surveillance of airport facilities for future nefarious actions. Especially concerning are concerns about drones as a potential terrorist threat, where they could be weaponised or used to interfere with airport operations.

All of these types of incidents can severely impact airport operations and result in runway closures, flight diversions, and significant economic losses. This has already happened, and many news stories in the public domain have covered the serious disruption potential of such drone incursions. 

EnforceAir addresses these threats through its advanced detection and mitigation capabilities, providing airports with a comprehensive solution to maintain safe and efficient operations in the face of drone-related challenges, as allowed by regulations and performed by authorised personnel. 

ZH: EnforceAir takes a proactive, non-disruptive, and non-kinetic approach to airport airspace security, focusing on very precise detection and mitigation of rogue drones. 

The system uses advanced RF-cyber technology to identify and track unauthorised drones, distinguishing them from authorised drones and other flying objects. EnforceAir integrates into existing airport infrastructure, complementing traditional legacy security measures without disrupting critical communications or navigation systems. 

When allowed by regulations and used by authorised personnel, EnforceAir can take precise control of rogue drones, safely landing them in designated areas without causing collateral damage. The system provides 24/7 continuous coverage protection and can adapt to various conditions and terrains. EnforceAir can be implemented to align with the appropriate national aviation requirements and standards for the countries in which it is installed. 

By offering a sophisticated, non-disruptive solution, EnforceAir enhances airport security while maintaining operational efficiency and passenger safety. 

ZH: EnforceAir's detection capabilities significantly enhance airport operations in several key ways. EnforceAir provides continuous, real-time monitoring of the airspace, allowing airports to quickly identify and assess potential drone threats. This immediate awareness enables rapid response and decision-making, crucial for maintaining safe and efficient operations.

The system's advanced RF technology offers precise drone identification and distinguishes between authorised and unauthorised drones. This accuracy reduces false alarms and allows airport personnel to focus on genuine threats, optimising resource allocation. 

By providing detailed information about drone incursions, EnforceAir helps airports minimise disruptions. The system's non-kinetic, non-jamming approach allows for threat mitigation, when allowed by regulations and performed by authorised personnel, while reducing the potential need for airport closures or flight delays, maintaining operational continuity. 

The detection data collected by EnforceAir can be analysed to identify patterns and trends in airport drone activity. This information enables airports to proactively enhance their security measures and develop more effective counter-drone strategies over time. 

ZH: EnforceAir effectively differentiates between friendly and hostile drones through its advanced RF-based technology and intelligent analysis capabilities.

The system employs sophisticated RF-cyber technology to identify unique characteristics of various drones. This allows EnforceAir to distinguish between authorised drones used for legitimate purposes and potentially hostile ones. The system employs and integrates with databases and lists of registered and authorised drones, enabling quick verification of friendly UAVs. 

EnforceAir continuously monitors detected drones, and it reports on multiple parameters, including location, altitude, and proximity to sensitive areas, to help operators determine the level of threat they may pose.

This multi-dimensional approach ensures higher accuracy in distinguishing between friendly and hostile drones, minimising false alarms and enabling appropriate responses to genuine threats.

ZH: EnforceAir's detection alerts significantly enhance the responsiveness of airport security staff in several key ways.  

EnforceAir provides immediate alerts upon detecting unauthorised drones, enabling security teams to respond swiftly to potential threats. This real-time notification system drastically reduces reaction times, allowing for earlier and more proactive responses rather than slower and more reactive security measures.

ZH: EnforceAir’s long-range directional configuration is particularly well-suited for airport coverage due to several key attributes. 

This configuration expands the detection and mitigation range of EnforceAir, allowing for comprehensive coverage of large airport perimeters, air corridors, and surrounding airspace. The extended range supports early detection of potential drone threats, providing more time for response. 

The directional antenna system enables focused coverage in specific areas of concern, such as runways, approach paths, and sensitive infrastructure. This targeted approach enhances the system's effectiveness in protecting critical zones without compromising overall airport operations. 

EnforceAir can provide robust drone detection and mitigation capabilities with coverage of relevant airspace while minimising potential interference with legitimate airport communications and navigation systems. This is crucial for maintaining safe and efficient airport operations. 

The long-range directional kit can be integrated with other EnforceAir deployments, allowing airports to adapt and scale their counter-drone capabilities as needed. This flexibility ensures that the system can adapt to evolving security requirements and emerging drone threats. 

ZH: D-Fend Solutions focuses on safety in airport drone detection and mitigation through the core RF-cyber technology in its EnforceAir system, with its non-disruptive, non-kinetic approach. EnforceAir uses advanced RF technology to accurately identify and locate unauthorised drones with a high degree of precision, minimising false alarms and unnecessary disruptions to airport operations. 

The system's mitigation, when allowed by local regulations and performed by authorised personnel, involves taking control of rogue drones and safely landing them in designated areas, avoiding the potential collateral damage associated with kinetic countermeasures. 

EnforceAir is designed to operate without interfering with critical airport communications, navigation systems, or authorised drones, ensuring their continued safe operations. The system can be implemented to align with appropriate national and local aviation safety standards and requirements. 

EnforceAir provides 24/7 airspace monitoring and protection, adapting to various conditions and terrains to maintain consistent safety levels. By focusing on these aspects, D-Fend Solutions’ counter-drone technology enhances airport safety without introducing new risks or compromising existing security measures.

ZH: EnforceAir can play a key role in airport digital transformation, aligning with the "smart airport" concept. The system leverages advanced RF technology and intelligent analysis to provide real-time drone detection and mitigation.

This intelligent approach not only enhances security but also integrates with other airport systems, contributing to a more efficient and data-driven operational environment.  

EnforceAir's ability to provide actionable insights on drone activity patterns helps airports make informed decisions about resource allocation and security strategies. Furthermore, its software-defined nature allows for easy updates and adaptations to emerging threats, ensuring airports stay ahead of the curve in airspace security while embracing digital innovation. 

ZH: At D-Fend Solutions, we believe that addressing the complex challenge of drone threats requires a multi-technology, multi-layer collaborative approach.  

We actively engage with airport operators, security service providers, aviation authorities, law enforcement, and other complementary technology providers to create comprehensive security solutions. 

ZH: EnforceAir is poised to play a crucial role in the future of airport airspace security systems. As drone threats continue to evolve, EnforceAir will become an integral part of comprehensive airport security frameworks, working seamlessly with other systems to provide multi-layered, multiple technology airport protection. 

Future iterations of EnforceAir will feature enhanced analytical and decision support capabilities, enabling more rapid and complete threat assessment and response. With continued advancements, enhancements, and software updates in its technology, EnforceAir will continue to offer even greater power and precision, covering airport perimeters and surrounding airspace in an optimal manner. 

As aviation authorities develop policies to adapt to the drone threat, and counter-drone technology regulations evolve, EnforceAir will adapt and continue to provide protection to airport environments with more capabilities. EnforceAir's ability to collect and analyse drone activity data will play a significant role in shaping proactive security strategies and informing decisions regarding airspace management around airports. 

ZH: D-Fend Solutions' strategic goals in the aviation market focus on addressing the growing drone threat while enhancing airport airspace security and operational efficiency. 

D-Fend aims to establish EnforceAir as a leading counter-drone solution for airports globally, leveraging its non-kinetic, RF-based technology to provide effective and safe drone mitigation. The company is committed to developing solutions that comply with evolving aviation requirements, making EnforceAir an optimal counter-drone solution for airports worldwide. 

D-Fend will continue to invest in R&D to further enhance EnforceAir's capabilities, focusing on range, precision, and integration with existing airport systems for multi-layer airspace security. Strategic collaborations with airport operators, security service providers, complementary technology vendors, and governmental agencies are key to D-Fend's goal of industry leadership in creating comprehensive, integrated counter-drone airport airspace security solutions. 

D-Fend aims to expand its global presence in airports, adapting its solutions to meet diverse regional requirements and challenges in airport airspace security. By pursuing these goals, D-Fend Solutions positions itself as a valuable partner in support of safeguarding aviation against evolving drone threats.

D-Fend Solutions is the leading global provider of cyber-takeover, counter-drone solutions for sensitive and challenging environments. By focusing on the acute threat, the most dangerous drones, the company’s technology enables organisations around the world to maintain full control, safety, and continuity during rogue drone incidents across complex and sensitive environments and be prepared for future threats. EnforceAir, its core offering, automatically executes radio frequency (RF) cyber-takeovers of rogue drones for safe landings and controlled outcomes.