Cheap commercial drones, modified for reconnaissance or even to drop explosives, are increasingly posing threats in conflicts worldwide. Allen-Vanguard, which has traditionally focused on neutralizing improvised explosive devices in roadside bombs, is taking to the skies to tackle the emerging concern.
“We took all the knowledge we had from the counter-IED side of the house and adapted it,” says Mike Dithurbide, president of Allen-Vanguard’s electronic systems division.
ANCILE™, as the new product is called, prevents potential attacks through radio frequency inhibitors that can disrupt control protocols for commercial drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles at distances up to 1.5 kilometres from a protected site.
The device, which resembles a heavy duty lunch box, has a few advantages over other anti-drone measures currently in use, Dithurbide says. Missiles designed to disable UAVs are often more expensive than the drones they’re targeting and pose great risks if they happen to miss.
Using ANCILE™ to set up a perimeter provides an invisible layer of security without the need to employ high-cost, high-risk countermeasures, Dithurbide says. The device can be used to secure public events, convoys, bases of operation or other sensitive areas.
