Drones may have its uses but its sudden popularity means that it could also become a nuisance, invading private spaces and even putting people lives at risk. An Australian company called DroneShield launched a new device that could remedy the situation.
Taking Down Drones
Dubbed as DroneGun, the device can "shoot" an incoming drone. It will not destroy the unmanned aerial vehicle since it merely disables drone signal forcing it to land or fly back to where it came from.
The DroneGun, which is essentially a jammer, is not the first device of its kind. It has several competitors that are also capable of disabling signals such as GPS and GLONASS positioning and they have beaten it to the market. However, DroneGun has one key advantage: it has a 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) range. Rival devices can only do their job at short distances, which could be dangerous especially if the target is carrying explosives.
Gentle Drone Bazooka
The anti-drone device looks seriously menacing, resembling a bazooka that can spew forth deadly projectiles. It is also quite hefty, weighing close to 6 kilograms (13.2 pounds). Once the trigger has been pulled, however, it only emits a jamming signal to take down drones.
DroneGun has one particularly interesting feature that can help law enforcers. This involves the "return to home function," which effectively allows tracking of erring drone operators. DroneGun also leaves everything intact so that it does not compromise forensic investigation for drones used in criminal activities or even terrorism.
DroneGun Availability, Specs And Pricing
Unfortunately, DroneGun is not yet commercially available in the United States unlike drones, which can be freely purchased even at Amazon. Some retailers have also included a number of drones in their Black Friday offerings. State and local governments are also not allowed to use it.
"The use of DroneGun in the United States by other persons or entities, including state or local government agencies, is prohibited by federal law," DroneShield said. "Laws limiting the availability of DroneGun to certain types of users may apply in other jurisdictions, and any sales will be conducted only in compliance with the applicable laws."
It is not yet clear if DroneShield is actively working to get a permit from the Federal Communications Commission and other regulatory agencies. The device is, however, being sold to individuals, organizations or governments around the world — those legally allowed to own the contraption.
Pricing is not yet available. Interested parties even have to submit a form to download the complete product description from DroneShield.
Aside from the DroneGun, its maker also offers a wide array of drone-related products such as the detection apparatus that can track drones through acoustic sensing.
