It is tempting to think of the drone threat purely in technical terms, but responding to it is as much a legal question as a technical one. The airspace is regulated, and actions taken against an aircraft, even a small one, sit within a framework of law and authority that cannot be ignored.
Why the legal dimension matters
- Airspace is regulated, and drones are aircraft within it
- Authority to act against a drone is strictly defined
- Responses can affect safety, communications and others nearby
- Only certain organisations may undertake certain measures
Awareness is broadly permissible; response is restricted
Detecting, tracking and understanding what is in the airspace is generally far less constrained than acting against it. That is one reason the emphasis of responsible counter-UAS sits so firmly on awareness, with any active response strictly reserved to authorised bodies acting lawfully.
Planned with the authorities
For this reason, counter-UAS is planned in coordination with aviation and security authorities and within the applicable law. Capabilities are provided to authorised organisations under the appropriate approvals, with the legal framework built into the plan from the start.
Capabilities are shared confidentially, with authorised organisations only.