The U.S. government is buying about 100 Poratble drone jammers to protect government facilities, property, and personnel. The jammer interfered with the drone's radio control and avoided dangerous substitutes for bullets and other projectiles.
According to the defense technology company, Battelle Labs is selling its DroneDefender handheld drone jammer to the Department of Defense and Homeland Security. The jammer looks like an intersection between an old-fashioned TV antenna and an assault rifle and can stop drones more than 400 meters away.
DroneDefender directs radio energy to the drone, thereby interrupting the connection between the drone and the operator. The jammer is suitable for the general frequency band of industry, science and medicine (ISM). The 2.4 GHz frequency (one of the most common drone control frequencies) is part of the ISM band.
Jammers can also interfere with GPS signals, which is an important function of automatic guided drones based on satellite navigation guidelines. After the drone is stuck, it can be controlled to hover in the proper position.
DroneDefender's "soft kill" method disables drones by cutting controls and navigation links, rather than more dynamic methods such as rifles full of shotguns. The energy flow generated by radio waves will not harm people or property.
The system weighs 15 pounds (including a battery pack) and can be used continuously for up to five hours
The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security purchased a total of 100 DroneDefenders, but did not discuss specific unit costs or what agents can get.