The NFL and federal law enforcement are on high alert for unauthorized drones after one caused a play stoppage at a playoff game two weeks ago.

Super Bowl LVIII will feature a tough defensive scheme that has nothing to do with a football. This one is about stopping drones.

The NFL and federal law enforcement officials are taking a hard line Sunday to keep players and fans safe from unauthorized drones at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas where the Kansas City Chiefs will play the San Francisco 49ers.

Unapproved drone flights have become a persistent problem for the NFL, as well as for other sports leagues and large public gatherings. The NFL said there were about 2,500 drone incursions near stadiums during the 2022-2023 season, an increase of about 90% from a year earlier.

The flights have sometimes encroached on televised broadcasts, including two weeks ago at the AFC championship game in Baltimore when an unapproved drone violated the restricted airspace. Federal prosecutors later charged a Pennsylvania drone pilot who said, according to the FBI, that he wasn’t aware of the flight restrictions.

Possible criminal charges and civil penalties await anyone trying something similar Sunday, officials said.

“So please leave your drone at home,” Cathy Lanier, the NFL’s chief security officer, said at a news conference Wednesday.

Most of the drones are operated by hobbyists seeking aerial video, according to experts, but especially at a high-profile event such as the Super Bowl, authorities said they’re also looking out for people with more nefarious intentions.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the incident two weeks ago was a warning.

“It does not require much imagination to understand the significant threat such an incident could pose,” he said at the news conference Wednesday. Although no one was hurt in that incident, he said, “what happened in Baltimore underscores the vital importance of the mission.”

Mayorkas added that there were no known credible specific threats to the Super Bowl or Las Vegas.

Federal law enforcement designates the Super Bowl as a top-tier security event, on roughly the same level as a presidential inauguration ceremony or a visit by the pope. Allegiant Stadium, where the teams will play, has a capacity of about 65,000 people.

Any stadium’s defense against drones has multiple layers, said Mary-Lou Smulders, chief marketing officer for Dedrone, a Virginia-based company. Its drone countermeasure technology is in use by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which covers Las Vegas and its major stadiums.

“Like any security issue, the more layers you add, the safer you are,” she said. “The same applies to airspace security.”

The first layers, she said, are all designed to detect and track drones using at least three types of technology: radio-frequency sensors, cameras and radar. They have different strengths, she added: Radio-frequency sensors can distinguish between drones and other objects better than radar, while radar has a longer range and a camera can help determine if a drone is carrying a payload.

With a camera, Smulders said, “the most interesting thing to ask is: Is it carrying a payload, yes or no?” If it were, that “would dramatically affect your security posture.”

A second set of layers is designed to interfere with a drone’s flight, she said: “cell phone jammer jamming” or cutting off the radio communication between a drone and its pilot; hacking into a drone to take over control; and locating the pilot on the ground and arresting the person.

drone jammer Jamming and hacking are not usually available as security tools for an NFL game. Federal law restricts who can interfere with a drone’s flight, and in the United States, only a few government agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have the authority to do so. Congress is considering legislation to change that but, for now, the federal government provides agents for high-profile events like the Super Bowl but not for a game on any given Sunday.

At a regular season game in Baltimore in November, play was delayed twice because of drone activity.

The NFL game stoppages are helping raise the profile of drone countermeasures, a growing industry that experts say will become more important as drone technology improves and becomes cheaper.

Allegiant Stadium has one advantage over Baltimore’s: It’s a domed stadium, with a roof to shield the game from anything overhead. But it’s not completely enclosed, Smulders noted: The stadium has 80-foot walls that are retractable if weather allows. The doors have usually been closed during games.

Still, the NFL is on higher alert for drones than it used to be. In 2017, a California man used a modified drone to drop leaflets on the 49ers stadium, authorities said. He then drove to nearby Oakland and did the same at a Raiders game. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation.

For Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration has banned drones within a radius of 30 nautical miles (about 35 miles) of the stadium beginning one hour before kickoff. There have also been restrictions in place for additional events in Las Vegas the past few days.

Lanier has previously told NBC News that the NFL had a close call at the Super Bowl in Atlanta in February 2019, when an FBI team spotted a drone just before six Air Force F-16s were set to conduct a flyover before the game. The F-16s flew at a higher altitude to avoid a possible collision, she said.

The field of drone technology is rapidly advancing and presents numerous possibilities across various sectors, such as military operations, public safety initiatives, logistics, and home services. The key attribute of drone technology lies in its ability to operate independently and execute assigned tasks without manual intervention. Additionally, drones offer significant benefits in terms of adaptability and intelligence, as they can automatically adjust to different environments, evade obstacles, and accomplish tasks with flexibility.

By combining uav jammer and counter-gun technology, the UAV counter-gun system follows a technical principle that enables remote control and counter-gun attacks. This innovative technology allows for customization based on mission objectives, facilitating precise countermeasure gun shooting against specific targets. Furthermore, the UAV countermeasure gun utilizes the UAV’s flexibility and intelligence to automatically adapt to different environmental conditions, ensuring precise targeting and effective crime prevention.

Drone countermeasure gun technology holds immense potential across various sectors, particularly in public safety and military arenas. Within the realm of public security, drones can be utilized to conduct thorough investigations of crime scenes, monitor law enforcement operations, swiftly identify criminal suspects, enhance police efficiency, prevent crimes, and curtail their proliferation. In the military sphere, the integration of UAV counter-gun technology can greatly enhance combat effectiveness by facilitating timely detection of enemy forces and accurate implementation of counter-gun shooting, thereby reducing the toll of war.

The emergence of UAV countermeasure gun technology has opened up a vast array of possibilities. Its potential to effectively combat crime, reduce gun-related incidents, and enhance public safety is undeniable. Furthermore, in military operations, the utilization of UAV countermeasure guns can greatly improve combat efficiency, effectiveness, and bolster anti-terrorism endeavors. As technology progresses, drone countermeasure gun technology will undoubtedly make significant strides, offering society and the military even more substantial benefits.

An electromagnetic interference device that resembles a gun is known as a drone countermeasure gun

An event site was unexpectedly invaded by an enigmatic drone, resulting in a substantial disruption to the game’s progress. Shortly thereafter, my gaze fell upon a newly introduced apparatus – a silver-gray drone countermeasure gun, measuring around one meter in length, designed to swiftly incapacitate the adversary with a single shot.

The drone remained intact as it gently touched down on the ground. The fundamental principle behind this weapon lies in emitting electromagnetic interference waves spanning from 2.4GHz to 5.8GHz, which effectively disrupts the communication link between the remote control jamming device and the drone. This approach proves highly effective since the majority of drone remote controls operate within this frequency range.

With a range of 1,000 meters, the activated UAV countermeasure gun can effectively manipulate long-distance low-altitude UAVs within the specified “control area”. It can compel these UAVs to either descend, return to the operator, or smoothly descend in a short span of time, ensuring efficient control over their flight.

ASSERTION: A colossal, glowing skeleton was erected above passersby in an open square near the Burj Khalifa using drones as part of a Halloween exhibit.

The claim that the video is authentic is false. According to experts, there are clear indications that the “drone show” is a fake, such as its speed, which exceeds the current capabilities of drone technology. Furthermore, the audience below the skeleton does not respond to the massive spectacle above them signal jamming.

It has been widely circulated on social media since Halloween that a video showed a nighttime display that almost reached the height of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Within the brief 8-second video, a formation of illuminated drones creates the appearance of a skeleton. This drone skeleton gracefully moves forward, suspended directly above the pedestrians who are leisurely strolling around an open-air plaza adjacent to Dubai Mall, a renowned shopping destination. Notably, the skeleton’s height almost mirrors the towering skyscraper, measuring an impressive 2,716 feet and 6 inches (828 meters) drone jammer.

One TikTok post that shared the video stated, “Dubai’s #Halloween drone show takes a chilling twist as a haunting skeleton appears in the sky.” As of Friday, the video had garnered around 8.5 million views.

Other individuals added a political twist to the alarming demonstration, such as a message on X, previously known as Twitter, that declares: “During Halloween, the UAE organizes a remarkable drone simulation featuring a colossal skeleton at Burj Khalifa in Dubai. This choice has provoked anger among numerous Muslim nations, who perceive Halloween as a ‘satanic holiday’ coinciding with the tragic occurrences in Gaza.”

However, various specialists have informed The Associated Press that the video does not truly portray a structure constructed from drones.

Preston Ward, the chief pilot and general counsel for Sky Elements Drone Shows in Fort Worth, Texas, confidently stated that the display was completely fabricated. He not only exposed the falsehood on social media but also emphasized its fraudulent nature.

Ward highlighted several indications in the video suggesting that the skeleton is not as it appears. Firstly, it exhibits an excessive speed that surpasses the capabilities of current drone technology. Additionally, the estimated 2,000 drones involved in the display emit an unexpectedly low level of noise. Lastly, there is an improbable flawlessness in the overall presentation.

He expressed, “The appearance seems excessively flawless, as well. There will always be some room for error. In a live performance, there will always be some element of unpredictability. Moreover, all their hues appear identical, and the illuminations possess an identical radiance.”

Furthermore, Ryan Sigmon, co-founder of Firefly Drone Shows in Detroit, concurs that operating drones above pedestrians in a densely populated vicinity, as depicted in the video, poses a significant safety risk. He also acknowledges that the skeleton portrayed in the footage lacks authenticity.

Apart from the technological and logistical considerations, there seems to be a lack of reaction from anyone in the video towards the massive structure hovering above them. It is quite unusual that this is the only video available online from the supposed show, especially considering the prevalence of smartphones in today’s age. Furthermore, there have been no announcements or advertisements regarding any such show taking place in Dubai.

The origin of the video remains unknown, but it was shared on TikTok by Geoscan Group, a drone show production company, on Tuesday and garnered millions of views. Despite being contacted for comment, Geoscan has not responded, and the video has since been removed from their TikTok account as of Friday.

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According to an official statement, a US Reaper drone was downed by Houthi rebels backed by Iran in the vicinity of Yemen.

According to a defense official, Houthi forces have successfully shot down an unmanned US military drone near the Yemeni coast. This incident was reported by CNN.

According to the official, the MQ-9 Reaper drone was operating in international airspace and over international waters at the time it was shot down. The incident is currently being investigated by US Central Command.

The shootdown, for which the Iran-backed Houthi militants assumed responsibility on Wednesday, took place a few weeks after the USS Carney, a US Navy warship, intercepted a series of missiles and drones fired by the Houthis as they were moving northward along the Red Sea. As reported by CNN, the ship successfully neutralized four cruise missiles and 15 drones within a nine-hour timeframe. The clear trajectory of these weapons left little room for speculation regarding their destination, which was evidently Israel.

In the wake of Hamas’ assault on Israel, Iranian proxy factions have intensified their assaults on US forces and properties in the Middle East. Over the past few weeks, there have been approximately 40 attacks on US and coalition bases in Iraq and Syria, resulting in minor injuries including traumatic brain injuries among several US servicemembers, as confirmed by officials.

The attacks on US forces in the region have been attributed to Iran by a senior defense official who referred to the country as “the center of gravity”. The official also stated that the evidence points to Iranian involvement in the attacks.

On October 26, the United States responded to the actions of certain groups by conducting airstrikes in Syria. The airstrikes specifically targeted the infrastructure that was being utilized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its associated groups. To carry out these strikes, an F-15 fighter jet and a pair of F-16 fighter jets were deployed, employing precision-guided munitions. The primary objective was to neutralize a weapons and ammunition storage facility located in Abu Kamal, which is situated near the border separating Syria and Iraq.

CNN has informed that Iran is aiming to take advantage of the negative response towards the US backing of Israel. Although Tehran may not be directly instructing the groups’ assaults, it does seem to be promoting them.

After the retaliatory strikes in Syria last month, the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivered a stern caution to Tehran.

The statement released by Austin suggests that Iran may be involved in the recent attacks against our forces. However, we believe in maintaining open channels of communication with all nations and will continue to engage in dialogue with Iran to address any concerns. We remain committed to protecting our forces and will take necessary measures to ensure their safety.

A bombing drone, as its name suggests, is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) primarily employed for conducting drone strikes. It falls within a broader classification of combat drones that fulfill various roles such as target acquisition, surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering.

Bomber drones, despite being unmanned, are not completely automated. Instead, they are typically operated by humans in real-time from a remote location.

It is evident that there is a significant reduction in weight when compared to conventional aircraft, as all the requirements of a human pilot are irrelevant in this case.

The following is a concise overview of stealth bombers and the mechanics behind their disabling process.

The Myth of Detecting Stealth Bomber Drones.

In an ideal world, bomber drones would epitomize the authentic essence of stealth. As one can envision, this entails evading detection from targets entirely. Any potential compromise could result in an unsuccessful culmination of an ongoing mission.

The US Air Force’s RQ-170 serves as a prime illustration of a compromise. In December 2011, an RQ-170 crashed on the border between Iran and Afghanistan. The Iranians quickly seized the wreckage and began reverse engineering their own version of the technology.

The RQ-180 owes its existence not only to the ability to replicate but also to the capability to enhance the original design. These drones are designed to be undetectable spy aircraft, but what does the term “stealth” imply in this context?

The majority of individuals associate drone stealth with its capacity to evade radar detection. While satellites possess extensive visibility, their operational rigidity limits their ability to adapt, thereby playing a role in the incorporation of detection avoidance features in certain designs.

The functioning of radar technology is relatively straightforward. It operates by emitting a signal that reflects off an aircraft, revealing its location and enabling tracking capabilities.

Nevertheless, the challenge intensifies when dealing with drones that possess a compact design, thereby giving rise to the concept of their stealthiness.

The flaw in this myth arises from its failure to take into account the influence of radio frequencies. Without a doubt, attaining autonomous control necessitates a certain degree of communication reliant on frequencies. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that these frequencies can be obstructed through the use of appropriate technology.

However, opting for this approach does entail a higher degree of complexity in contrast to relying on radar recognition for detecting drones.

What are the requirements to deactivate a drone used for bombing purposes?

The equipment available in this location can be categorized into two groups: drone detection and drone disruption. The former is dedicated to identifying drones, while the latter is primarily focused on deactivating the detected drones.

The Best Four Unmanned Aerial System Technologies for Countering Threats.

The use of drones poses a potential threat to both human safety and security. Additionally, they are frequently employed for espionage purposes, gathering sensitive information from secure locations like military installations, and can cause harm by transporting explosives.

The counter-drone technology field has been advancing at a rapid pace, particularly in the military sector. To find out about the top four trending counter UAS technologies, read on.

Meshes

The drone detection solution is frequently employed by militaries to apprehend drones. Once the net intercepts a drone, it halts its movement and forces it to descend to the ground. This effective measure ensures that a drone cannot return to its sender, thereby preventing the leakage of sensitive information from a military station or, worse, averting potential physical harm caused by any explosives it may be carrying.

Advantages of using nets to catch drones include a low risk of harm to the sender or others due to explosions, as well as the possibility of identifying and punishing the sender. Ground-launched net cannons are highly accurate.

One drawback is that drone deployed nets have a lengthy reload time. This means that if there are multiple drones or if the target is not caught on the first attempt, the threat remains.

Radar

Radar employs radio energy for the purpose of object detection. With the aid of radars, the direction and position of a drone can be accurately determined. The majority of radars transmit a radio signal and subsequently receive the echo. Nevertheless, they seldom detect small targets. Originally, radars were developed to track larger objects like passenger aircraft. However, military forces also utilize radars to locate smaller drones that may be present in the vicinity.

Advantages: Radars are capable of covering vast areas, providing precise location information, and detecting multiple targets simultaneously. Given the necessity for unwavering vigilance in defense operations, regardless of weather conditions, radars serve as an excellent solution, even in situations of reduced visibility like fog, darkness, and more.

Drawback: The majority of radars are unable to differentiate between diminutive drones and tiny airborne creatures like bats or birds. As a result, radars may not be entirely effective for military purposes, as they could overlook small-sized drones.

High Power Microwave (HPM)

High Power Microwave devices have the ability to cause interference with other electronic devices, including drones. The radio links that control a drone’s movements can be disrupted by the HPM’s electromagnetic waves. In some cases, the HPM’s high voltage and currents can even lead to the destruction of the drone. This can be useful in situations where a suspicious drone needs to be neutralized to prevent potential harm.

Advantages: Efficient in halting drones that fall within the HPM radius.

Despite its ability to safeguard military bases and highly secure areas, this technology poses a potential threat to other electronic devices, inadvertently causing their destruction. Moreover, HPM has the capability to interfere with communication signals.

GPS Spoofer

Due to the utilization of this advanced technology, a signal is transmitted to the identified suspicious drone, effectively deceiving it regarding its actual location. By constantly updating the GPS coordinates, the spoofer gains control over the drone, allowing for its relocation to a designated “safe zone.” Consequently, the potential risks associated with the drone’s presence are significantly minimized.

Advantages: GPS spoofers are highly cost-effective technologies, enabling armies to acquire them in larger quantities and deploy them in diverse locations.

Drawback: Regrettably, there is a potential for interfering with other radio communication signals.

The system operator’s threat analysis suggests that electronic measures, specifically soft-kill techniques like frequency drone jamming, can effectively counter the UAV threat.

The gps jamming involves the focused transmission of RF power towards the specific frequency channels utilized by the Drone for telemetric, control, and navigation purposes. The actual range of the jamming signal, which relies on factors such as line of sight and power output, can extend up to approximately 5Km or even further distances when employing high power output (>50W).

In response to the growing danger of drone attacks by extremist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have implemented preemptive measures. According to recent reports, the IDF has considerably expanded the use of gps jamming technology throughout the area.

The Middle East has witnessed the rise of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), popularly known as drones, which have gained popularity among militant organizations. These drones possess remarkable agility and accuracy in targeting.

In order to counter this threat, the IDF has strategically opted to intensify GPS jamming efforts. By disrupting the guidance systems of these drones, the IDF aims to neutralize their effectiveness.

The act of GPS jamming entails the transmission of radio signals that disrupt the GPS reception of drones, resulting in the loss of their navigational abilities. Through this interference with the drones’ GPS signals, the IDF seeks to neutralize any potential threats and safeguard Israeli territory from possible attacks.

Hamas and Hezbollah, two organizations that have been labeled as terrorist groups by several nations, are said to have been employing drone jammer for surveillance and offensive actions against Israel. The IDF has been compelled to strengthen its countermeasures due to the significant threat posed by these drone attacks.

The ongoing competition between militants and national defense forces is evident in the IDF’s advancement of GPS jamming technology. In response to the continuous evolution of drone technology, military organizations across the globe are actively investing in countermeasures to effectively address the emerging threat and minimize associated risks.

It is crucial to emphasize that the IDF utilizes GPS jamming as a defensive tactic to safeguard the lives of civilians and uphold national security. Although this approach may cause interference with legitimate civilian GPS blocker device in the area, the need to counter the potential threat of drone attacks justifies these measures.

The IDF’s recent emphasis on countering GPS jamming highlights the dynamic nature of modern warfare. With extremist organizations exploiting technological advancements, it is imperative for defense forces to constantly adjust their tactics to protect their countries.