Weapons vs. UAVs, Russian Rab system, how to protect your dacha from quadrocopters

Drones are any unmanned vehicles, they can travel on land, water or air. Airborne drones that are controlled by an operator from the ground are called unmanned aerial vehicles - UAVs.

A UAV is an aircraft without a crew on board. According to the method of control they are divided into 2 groups: remotely controlled and fully autonomous. 

The lack of pilots and small size make these vehicles a dangerous tool that can be used for reconnaissance and precision strikes against enemy targets. Therefore, there is a constant demand for effective UAV and drone countermeasures.

According to their design, drones are divided into the following types:

• Aircraft-type UAV.
• Gliders.
• Hydroplanes.
• Helicopter-type aircraft.
• Convertoplanes are aircraft-type vehicles with vertical take-off.
• Quadcopters and multicopters - having 2 or more propellers.
• Tethered drones, in which the transmission of signals from the operator is done via wires.

Curb weight is another important parameter for classifying UAVs. 

• Microdrones have a mass of up to 10kg.
• Minidrones - up to 50kg.
• Medium-sized - up to 1,000kg. 
• Heavy drones have a mass of more than 1,000kg and are designed for intercontinental flights.

Methods of combating UAVs

Design bureaus and militaries around the world are researching the use of UAVs and methods of countering them. The following methods of neutralising drones are currently known.

Acoustic

Such means are based on the phenomenon of resonance, which causes gyroscope malfunction. The sound power of the equipment is at least 140 dB. The method is of limited use due to its short range of up to 40 metres and the variety of drone designs.

Laser

In this case, a solid-state laser with a power of up to 30 kW is used, which heats up and disables the drone's sensors. Modern models can detect aircraft within a radius of 35 kilometres and destroy them at a distance of up to 1.6 kilometres.

Microwave

Systems of this type cause a disruption in the UAV's electrical circuitry. The method is used to combat large groups of aircraft without requiring focus redirection.

The methods given are aimed at completely destroying enemy drones. 

However, this approach is not always justified. If the downing of an aircraft poses a risk to ground facilities, alternative means of dealing with UAVs may be used.

Networks

The simplest variant that allows disarming low-flying drones. The net is fired from a specially designed launcher, immobilises the device and brings it down to the ground using parachutes. Modern systems have a range of up to 100 metres.

Antidodrons

Increasingly, law enforcement agencies are using their own drones to protect air borders. Such aircraft are equipped with high-power engines, usually diesel engines, as well as reinforced hull protection. They are also equipped with various means of combat, most often using a net attached on board to intercept them.

Means of electronic warfare

In this case, electromagnetic waves that interfere with the UAV's onboard equipment and communications equipment are the defeating factor. In this case, REB does not necessarily disable the vehicle, but can be used to intercept and collect transmitted information.

Control interception systems

Designed to capture enemy drones. They can operate both independently and in combination with REB means.

Intercepting a drone is complicated by the fact that it may have an evacuation programme built into it. In this case, the loss of a signal from the operator will not cause the drone to crash, but will trigger the process of its return to the base, in accordance with the predetermined coordinates. To prevent evacuation, modern electronic warfare equipment must not only intercept the drone's control, but also disconnect it from navigation systems.

REB is a weapon against drones and UAVs

Zala Aero Group's lineup includes 3 models of Russian weapons against enemy drones:

1. Zala Zont is a portable device that suppresses the operation of navigation systems within a radius of 2 km. It is lightweight (0.8kg) and can operate without recharging for 6 hours.
2. REX-1 is an anti-drone cannon that blocks the communication channel with the operator at a distance of up to 0.5 km and suppresses the aircraft's navigation system within a radius of 2 km. It has a mass of 4.5 kg and is equipped with 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz modules (7 additional interchangeable modules operating at frequencies from 433 MHz to 2.6 GHz are also available).
3. REX-2 is a modernised anti-drone gun. System optimisation allowed to reduce the gun's weight to 3 kg while maintaining its tactical and technical characteristics.

The presented models are designed in Russia, have been tested in real conditions and by main parameters surpass most analogues in their class.