Researching UAV Threat – New Challenges

Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)s are increasingly becoming not only supportive means in combat operations, but also serve as offensive means. Unmanned aerial vehicles are used in both symmetrical and asymmetrical conflicts and are more often misused by terrorist and criminal organizations to pursue their goals or objectives. The approach to solving the problem of defence against unmanned aerial vehicles thus requires the involvement of all levels of air defence. These levels, also referred to as air defence pillars, in the form of sensors, effectors and command and control systems must then work synergistically against this threat. There is no unified solution to the problem of combating unmanned systems, or counter UAS (C-UAS), and therefore it is necessary to look for potential research topics. This article clarifies the main attributes of C-UAS and offers topics for research projects that will shift the capabilities of the solver and downstream user in favour of increased defence.