Aveillant Limited, a Thales Company, announced that its anti-drone systems have now been deployed at London Heathrow Airport as part of a bespoke set of end-to-end counter drone measures provided by Operational Solutions Ltd to help keep the area free from drones.
The system works by detecting and tracking drones in surrounding airspace and alerting airports of unauthorized drone use quickly. It is also capable of locating the drone pilots and identifying their location.
This technology has been specifically designed for Heathrow Airport by Operational Solutions Ltd and comprises of a variety of counter drone technologies, including systems from Aveillant. The systems will enhance detection capabilities and minimize delays. The technology will also help the airport to meet its sustainability objectives, by reducing the fuel wastage and additional flight stacking caused by unauthorized drones use.
This news follows the introduction of legislation, introduced in March 2019, prohibiting unauthorized drones from being flown within the Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) which extends out to 5km of any airport boundary. Pilots who break the law and fly without permission within a Flight Restriction Zone in the U.K. can face a prison sentence of up to five years.
