The ability to locate and deal with drones operating in unauthorized areas is vital to maintaining secure borders and protecting assets. The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and Canadian partners are testing and deploying the latest technology to address these challenges.
In early autumn near Buffalo, New York, the weather was comfortable and warm, with a touch of color in the trees marking the change of seasons. As locals went about their business and tourists enjoyed the changing leaves, several nondescript vehicles traveled alongside them on the scenic byways along the Niagara River. Inside these trucks and vans were S&T technicians watching screens, tracking the movements of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) flying across the U.S.-Canada border.
S&T carried out the exercise in coordination with U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Buffalo Sector and Canadian government counterparts. The goal was to practice locating and intercepting UAS flying near or crossing the Niagara River, which marks the international border. UAS are often used to move drugs and other contraband back and forth across the border. As technology advances, some have become large and powerful enough to potentially transport a person.
“We're only able to see our side of the border, and because the UAS move so fast, we don't have enough time to do an intercept,” said Tony Hammerquist, Deputy Program Manager in S&T’s C-UAS Program. “If we're able to see from the Canadian side, then we're able to prepare an intercept, if required, and the same thing goes for the Canadians on their side.”
In addition to the mobile sensors being driven on local roads, and the existing sensors installed on poles and rooftops, S&T also tested some portable units in fixed positions. One such location was in Fort Niagara State Park on the top of a round hill covered with green grass. Members of the team set up a detection system and flew UAS in the surrounding areas.
This collaboration between the U.S. and Canada is not unique. “We host events between the two countries where we showcase technologies available in the United States, and the Canadians showcase technologies from Canada,” said Hammerquist. “We also share UAS and C-UAS technology trends to prepare for the next generation of threats.”
The chosen location along the border has had a S&T test sensor network in place for several years, providing an opportunity to test drone detection and mitigation. The S&T sensor network is used by USBP in securing the airspace along the Niagara River. The downside is that there is no time to waste. Favorable weather conditions maximize testing and flight time, and this part of the world has five solid months of winter, which can limit access to the sensor network and prevent target drones from flying due to bad weather.
UAS are a part of our world, and the vast majority of them are used for recreational and business purposes. However, there are nefarious actors out there using them in ways that threaten our safety and security. S&T is working on solutions to detect, and if necessary, intercept drones that are potentially dangerous. The kind of exercises that took place in Buffalo will help S&T develop better sensors and better techniques for use on the front lines of our security.