Current Counter-Drone Technology Solutions to Shield Airports and Approach and Departure ...

96 Pages·2017·0.84 MB·English

December
2016
Current Counter-Drone
Technology Solutions to
Shield Airports and
Approach and Departure
Corridors
Charles D. Baker, Governor
Karyn E. Polito, Lieutenant Governor
Stephanie Pollack, MassDOT Secretary & CEO

Technical Report Document Page
1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No.

4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date
Current Counter-Drone Technology Solutions to Shield December 15, 2016
Airports and Approach and Departure Corridors
6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No.
Douglas Looze, Michael Plotnikov, Ryan Wicks
9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
130 Natural Resources Road, Amherst, MA 01003 11. Contract or Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered
Massachusetts Department of Transportation Final Report
Office of Transportation Planning August 2016 – December 2016
Ten Park Plaza, Suite 4150, Boston, MA 02116
14. Sponsoring Agency Code
n/a
15. Supplementary Notes

16. Abstract
The proliferation of drones has the potential to harm people and property. In particular, drones
flying near airports and airport approaches can cause flight disruptions, as well as other serious
challenges and incidents. There is a need to understand available technologies to protect
Commonwealth of Massachusetts airport users and the traveling public. The objectives of this
research were to accomplish both a literature search and a detailed synthesis of counter-drone
technologies. The literature search has determined what technologies are currently available and
are being pursued. Commercial off-the-shelf hardware that implements these technologies has
been identified, and its costs and capabilities were described and assessed. On the basis of this
research, recommendations were made regarding available counter-drone technologies, and a
pilot program for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division to
further explore counter-drone technologies has been proposed.
17. Key Word 18. Distribution Statement
counter-UAS technology, airport safety, air
traffic safety, UAS airspace integration
UAS stakeholder engagement
UAS detection and tracking
UAS interdiction
19. Security Classification (of this report) 20. Security Classification (of this page) 21. No. of 22. Price
unclassified unclassified Pages n/a
94
Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized
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Current Counter-Drone Technology Solutions to
Shield Airports and Approach and Departure
Corridors

Final Report

Prepared By:

Professor Douglas P. Looze
Principal Investigator

113F Knowles Engineering Bldg.
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003
413-545-0973
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

Prepared For:

Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Office of Transportation Planning
Ten Park Plaza, Suite 4150
Boston, MA 02116

December 15, 2016
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Acknowledgements
Prepared in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Office of
Transportation Planning (MassDOT), and the United States Department of Transportation,
Federal Highway Administration.

The research team would like to acknowledge the efforts of Dr. Jeffrey DeCarlo from the
MassDOT Aeronautics Division for his help and guidance throughout all stages of the
project. In addition, the research team would like to acknowledge the contribution of Gabriel
Sherman from MassDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning Research Section for providing
the research team with valuable feedback from MassDOT; Melissa Paciulli from the UMass
Transportation Center for her contribution to interagency coordination; and Frances Fahey
for her contribution to proofing all documentation.

Disclaimer
The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts
and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the
official view or policies of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation or the Federal
Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or
regulation.
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Executive Summary
This study of Current Counter-Drone Technology Solutions to Shield Airports and Approach
and Departure Corridors was undertaken as part of the Massachusetts Department of
Transportation (MassDOT) Research Program. This program is funded with Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) State Planning and Research (SPR) funds. Through this
program, applied research is conducted on topics of importance to the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts transportation agencies.

The proliferation of drones, or unmanned aerial systems (UASs), has the potential to harm
people and property. In particular, drones flying near airports and airport approaches can
cause flight disruptions, as well as other serious challenges and incidents. There is a need to
understand available technologies to protect Commonwealth of Massachusetts airport users
and the traveling public.

The objectives of this research were: (1) to accomplish a UAS-related literature survey and a
review of commercially available counter-drone technologies; and (2) to develop
recommendations for MassDOT regarding solutions to address the problem of
noncooperative UASs in close proximity to airports. The literature search determined what
technologies are currently available. The commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware survey
was performed in two stages. During the first stage, a survey of separate groups of
stakeholders was performed in order to identify their opinions regarding the importance of
different aspects of counter-UAS technologies, policies, and standards. The stakeholder
survey helped the research team establish a basis for technology evaluation, performed at the
next step. During the second step of the COTS survey, hardware that implements counter-
UAS technology was identified, and its costs and capabilities were described and assessed.

The research team recommends that airports use multiple integrated technologies in a layered
approach to detect, track, and interdict UASs. In addition, the team recommends that
manufacturers be required to integrate geofencing into the GPS navigation systems of all
commercially sold UASs over 0.55 lbs. Also, several counter-UAS systems are
recommended for further investigation. Finally, the team recommends that a pilot program be
implemented by the MassDOT Aeronautics Division to further explore counter-UAS
technologies that have been proposed.
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