The New York City Police Department might roll out its initial anti-drone defense system for significant events this summer, including a grand 250th anniversary celebration at New York Harbor, according to a report.
On February 10, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed that federal authorities are getting ready to grant police powers to neutralize threatening drones in the city’s airspace. It appears President Trump is poised to give the final approval.
In recent months, the city has been exploring anti-drone technology, with discussions ongoing between the NYPD and American Robotics regarding the purchase of the Iron Drone Raider, a development reported previously in June.
This technology employs an “interceptor drone” that tracks hostile drones using radar and deploys a lightweight mesh net to ensnare the target’s rotors. After that, a parachute helps safely lower the drone to the ground.
Eric Block, who heads Ondus Holdings, the parent company of American Robotics, mentioned that they now possess more sophisticated cyber technology capable of controlling and safely landing hostile drones, thus minimizing the risk of collateral damage should a drone crash.
“We can detect radio frequencies and essentially target them to mislead the drone into thinking we’re its pilot,” Block explained. “By disabling the encryption, we effectively take control of the drone.”
When asked if Ondus had a contract with New York, Block refrained from providing a definite answer, stating the company was “in discussions with security officials” at various governmental levels.
Block expressed optimism, noting that this technology could prove appealing for areas like New York, suggesting it could support a layered defense strategy where one layer neutralizes drones and another layer handles more serious threats through internet monitoring.
The operational efficiency of this system remains uncertain, but police officials estimate that NYPD drones carry a price tag of between $15,000 and $20,000 each.
The NYPD recently secured a $6.5 million federal grant aimed at counter-unmanned aircraft systems, as stated by a department spokesperson.
According to Block, the FIFA World Cup in East Rutherford, New Jersey, serves as a catalyst the White House is employing to justify the deployment of these technologies for public safety purposes.
Currently, only the FBI holds the authority to engage rogue drones. Block noted, “With the FIFA World Cup approaching, we need to have everything ready to go by then. So, it’s imminent.”
MetLife Stadium, located about 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan, is set to host eight FIFA matches, culminating with the final on July 19.
This year also marks potentially significant dates like the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and the 250th anniversary of America’s founding in New York Harbor.
Some law enforcement officials are advocating for increased attention and oversight regarding drone defense technology.
Joseph Giacalone, a former NYPD sergeant and current adjunct professor, expressed concern about the potential for mishaps. “It appears promising, but drones can lead to significant issues, hence the need for preparedness,” he remarked, highlighting the risk of drones being equipped with weapons.
“Protecting a crowded location like Times Square is tricky. If something goes wrong, it could result in serious physical harm to people,” he added.
Given these concerns, a veteran NYPD officer emphasized the necessity for stringent supervision in the deployment of this technology. “We’ve seen drones being used maliciously abroad, leading to civilian casualties,” the officer pointed out, referencing the situation in Ukraine. “It’s crucial to have a supervising officer in charge of all operations.”
