The expanding drone threat: why modern
countermeasures must extend beyond the battlefield

Graeme Forsyth, Counter-UAS Product Manager, SPX Communication Technologies

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Over the last five years, counter-drone measures have understandably centred on the battlefield. But a parallel, equally concerning threat is growing across civilian and critical infrastructure domains, with drones being used for sabotage, espionage and disruption.

Whether it's hostile surveillance of critical national infrastructure, where billions of Pounds/Euros worth of services are at risk, interference with air traffic, or malicious intent at mass gatherings, uncrewed air systems (UAS) are being deployed in increasingly audacious ways.

It's a present and persistent threat, one that demands a coordinated response from not just militaries, but also governments, airports, energy providers and public safety authorities.

Escalating incidents

Recent incidents across Europe reveal both the scale and diversity of the threat. Just this year, we've seen:

• Aviation disruption with flights suspended at Sofia International Airport, after an unknown drone flew into restricted airspace, the first time authorities identified such a breach with “malicious intent.” In response, Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister called for all international airports to be equipped with counter-UAS (C-UAS) technology, fast-tracking legislative change.
• Military surveillance in the UK, where a spate of drone sightings over RAF bases in East Anglia and other sensitive sites prompted a strong response from the Ministry of Defence. The incidents have raised serious concerns over national defence vulnerabilities and the need for robust C-UAS deployments at strategic locations.
• Mass gatherings and symbolic targets, such as Twickenham Stadium, where a drone carrying a Palestine flag flew over the pitch during a Six Nations match. This breach underscored the potential for drones to deliver messages, cause panic, or worse, in crowded public spaces.
• Unidentified sabotage in Finland and other northern European countries, with authorities reporting a surge in drone sightings near critical infrastructure, including energy sites and ports, amid rising geopolitical tension. While most have been verified and investigated, a “murky layer” of activity remains unexplained, increasing concern over espionage and foreign interference.

Across all these incidents, one thing is clear: drones are no longer just a threat in live battle. Successfully mitigating the danger posed by errant, illegal, or malicious UAS is becoming increasingly critical for an ever-widening range of domestic and international defence and security forces. But authorities have difficult decisions to make when it comes to sourcing reliable, effective solutions - not all the latest technologies are up to the test.

Unprecedented response

As an indication of the scale of the threat, there's now an unprecedented call for jamming and counter-UAS equipment. SPX Communication Technologies has seen an 80% increase in enquiries from across Europe, as nations seek to strengthen their defences.

That growing urgency is mirrored in multinational defence initiatives. The US and UK launched Project VANAHEIM, a joint programme which aims to enhance the detection, tracking, identification and neutralisation of UAS threats. According to the UK Ministry of Defence, it represents the first phase of a comprehensive programme designed to update the army's C-UAS capabilities in response to modern security challenges.

Amending Legislation

Legislation is catching up, too. Several European nations are updating their laws to allow for a more agile and coordinated response. Laws also help create a framework that highlights RF jamming as a verified, common countermeasure - and that in turn helps demystify some of the historical misnomers around jamming.

A “single van with a jammer” is no longer a credible strategy. With hundreds of sites potentially at risk, nations need decentralised capabilities that can respond quickly, safely, and within legal frameworks, which is driving legal changes.

Poland, for instance, is amending its national Aviation Law Act to allow a broader range of official services—including police, military and border guards—to “shoot at a drone (or immobilise it using digital methods) when it threatens or may threaten the life or health of people or animals.” To protect the official services, the law also imposes liability on the drone pilot, including for any damage done due to shooting down a drone.

In February, Romania passed new laws empowering its army to shoot down drones that illegally breach Romanian airspace, particularly those posing a threat to national security or human life. These changes follow a spike in UAS-related incidents along the country's borders.

The technology race

Alongside legislative changes, governments are investing in the latest technologies to enhance their C-UAS capabilities. Given that most malicious UAS are RF-enabled, demand for radio frequency (RF) inhibitors is surging.

The same core technology and regulatory standards apply whether protecting a military air base, a nuclear facility, or the centre of London. Yet with new technologies flooding the market, buyers face a confusing mix of capabilities and claims. Their dilemma: invest in proven systems or trial, often cheaper, emerging tech under pressure. In the latter's case, authorities are often forced to return to the market again when technology fails to deliver.

RF detection and jamming

As UAS threats evolve—increasing in mobility, speed and range— nations need access to the latest technology to counter them. With most nefarious UAS systems RF-enabled, demand for effective RF jamming is rising fast, and with good reason.

Directional jamming is now possible at far greater distances - from 200 metres to distances in excess of 10 kilometres - but increased range alone isn't enough. Countermeasures must also adapt to faster, more mobile devices and an ever-growing mix of frequencies. Longer-range systems, high spectral purity, directional beams and agile responses to changing protocols are essential for defeating today's UAS threats.

Heritage and proven capabilities

SPX Communication Technologies has been at the forefront of C-UAS technology from the start. From its beginnings as Enterprise Control Solutions, the Northamptonshire, UK, company was acquired by SPX Technologies and joined forces with TCI International to form RF specialists, SPX Communication Technologies.

Contributing to the original AUDS programme, it continued to evolve the technology to develop solutions like BlackTalon, the next-generation counter-drone capability that detects, locates, tracks and defeats threats.

Its Claw RF Inhibitor has been accredited with over 2,000 UAS defeats. It was deployed in the 2017 Battle of Mosul and used to detect the drones threatening Christmas for thousands at Gatwick airport in 2018. It is currently used worldwide to counter UAS threats in conflicts and other zones.

BLACKTALON combines SPX Communication Technologies' legacy of RF expertise, advanced detection, and precise neutralisation with flexible deployment options and ongoing innovation. It effectively jams every combination of GNSS, command, control and telemetry signals used by both commercial and military drones. This ensures a decisive advantage in countering drone threats while simultaneously safeguarding friendly RF signals from unintended inhibition.

BLACKTALON empowers defence and security forces to maintain airspace dominance and protect critical infrastructure from the fast-changing UAS threat landscape.

BLACKTALON Ecosystem integrates SPX Communication Technologies' BLACKTALON C-UAS technology and decades of expertise in the space with a vendor-agnostic framework. This approach ensures solutions can meet every customer's unique requirements. Defence and security teams gain from a tailored approach to their specific Concept of Operations, threats, user groups, existing capabilities, and budgets.

And SPX Communication Technologies solutions are being integrated with other major defence and established C-UAS systems to deliver flexible, scalable solutions, and in some cases form the backbone of many leading C-UAS platforms.

Mounting positions

Drones pose a persistent threat to critical national infrastructure, including energy facilities, nuclear sites and transportation networks. For effective defence, countermeasures need flexible and mobile mounting options — whether positioned high up for greater line of sight or deployed on the periphery of a site for rapid response.

The Claw RF inhibitor benefits from multiple mounting positions and offers greater range, accuracy, and agility than any other RF Inhibiting system, effectively defeating drone attacks at distances exceeding 10km, thereby keeping critical infrastructure and personnel safe. It has been used to defeat over 2,000 drones in real-world combat scenarios and continues to be a trusted capability in conflict zones and national defence efforts worldwide.

At its core, SPX's Claw is a layered RF inhibition system that disrupts control, navigation, and telemetry links used by hostile drones. Compact, secure, and self-contained, Claw operates without external signal processing, ensuring reliability and resistance to third-party interference. As UAS protocols continue to shift and hop across RF bands, Claw stays effective, backed by SPX Communication Technologies' 35-year heritage in RF detection, direction-finding and intelligence.

All its C-UAS capabilities are proven in live theatre across the world, including with NATO countries.

RF spectrum intelligence

Thanks to the company's deep understanding of the RF spectrum through its COMINT and spectrum monitoring capabilities, SPX Communication Technologies can identify signals of interest in active theatres and adapt inhibition protocols in if necessary.

This link between deep RF understanding and inhibition provides users with a clearer picture of the threat landscape and confidence that their detection, jamming, and defeat systems will be effective.

Adapting at pace

SPX Communication Technologies is investing in future jamming enhancements, ensuring its systems remain ahead of the threat. With many military teams now introducing new systems, reactivating mothballed ones or looking to upgrade existing defences, the focus is shifting from 'nice to have' to 'mission critical'.

Reliable RF inhibition is already neutralising threats in the real world. With proven, adaptable systems backed by decades of expertise, SPX Communication Technologies remains at the heart of credible C-UAS defence — wherever the front line may be.

For more information please visit:
https://www.enterprisecontrol.co.uk