In an era where commercial drones pose increasing security risks, the Royal Navy has taken a significant step forward in countering these threats by implementing Anti-drone technology.
The Navy has recently procured over 10 counter-unmanned aerial system units developed by Hampshire-based SME LiveLink Aerospace, showcasing the success of government-funded innovation in addressing modern defence challenges.
Translations: French
From Commercial Tech to Naval Defence
LiveLink Aerospace, originally focused on commercial applications, pivoted its expertise towards defence and security with the support of the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA).
Through DASA’s 2020 Countering Drones: Phase 2 competition, the company secured funding to develop a cost-effective CUAS solution.
The result of this collaboration is the Passive Detection & Ranging (PDAR) system, a low-cost and flexible sensor unit capable of tracking multiple unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This innovative technology utilizes:
- Conventional software-defined radios
- Reprogrammable integrated circuits
- Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) technology
The PDAR system’s ability to detect radio frequencies emitted by drones without producing its own RF emissions makes it a stealthy and effective tool for naval defence.
Sea Trials and Royal Navy Adoption
Following competitive field trials, the Royal Navy recognized the potential of LiveLink Aerospace’s PDAR system for maritime applications.
The technology’s effectiveness was further validated when it became the first to be trialled aboard the XV Patrick Blackett, the Royal Navy’s dedicated test vessel for new technologies.
Ben Keene, General Manager of LiveLink Aerospace Ltd, praised the Navy’s efficiency, stating,
“We were impressed how quickly and efficiently the Navy were able to progress the project from a field trial to a sea trial with the XV Patrick Blackett. NavyX organised the sea trial in just days, and provided first-rate engagement and engineering support throughout.”
Benefits for Naval Defence
The PDAR system offers several advantages for the Royal Navy:
- Stealth operations with no RF emissions
- Cooperative threat detection capabilities
- Low-cost and user-friendly installation
- Multi-purpose functionality for wider signal analysis
Implications and Ongoing Development
The successful adoption of LiveLink Aerospace’s counter-unmanned aerial system units technology by the Royal Navy demonstrates the potential for civilian innovations to address critical defence needs.
As the threat from unmanned aerial systems continues to evolve, the company is expanding its team and focusing on further enhancing its counter-unmanned aerial system units (CUAS) capabilities.
LiveLink Aerospace aims to make CUAS protection a standard feature for valuable deployed assets, similar to how CCTV has become a default expectation in many security contexts.
The company is also leveraging its DASA-funded foundations to innovate in air defence technologies and alternative position, navigation, timing, and communication systems that reduce reliance on vulnerable satellite infrastructure.
For more information on the Royal Navy’s CUAS initiatives and LiveLink Aerospace’s ongoing developments, visit the official Royal Navy website.
Sources: THX News & Defence and Security Accelerator.
