Rogue Drones Disrupt Firefighting: How Advanced Counter-Drone Tech Can Help
Although the latest deadly wildfires in Los Angeles have been extinguished, officials are still contending with the serious threat posed by rogue drones that disrupted firefighting efforts.
As flames tore through the region, unauthorized drones repeatedly forced emergency aircraft to abandon their critical missions, putting lives, property and first responders at risk. Despite urgent public warnings, the presence of these drones hindered aerial firefighting operations, delaying water drops and reconnaissance efforts at a time when every second counted.
A man operating a drone that crashed into a firefighting aircraft during the Palisades fire has agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor, pay a fine, and complete community service. Officials reported that the drone was flying in restricted airspace on January 9 when it struck the left wing of a Super Scooper — a large fixed-wing aircraft used for aerial water drops. The impact created a fist-sized hole in the wing, grounding the plane for approximately five days and destroying the drone.
To understand the challenges posed by unauthorized drone activity — and the technology available to mitigate these threats — SecurityInfoWatch consulted with Jeffrey Starr, CMO of D-Fend Solutions, a pioneer in radio frequency (RF) cyber-based, non-kinetic counter-drone technology.
In the following Q&A, we discuss how advanced counter-drone solutions can help prevent future disruptions and enhance public safety during emergency response operations.
The Risks and Challenges of Rogue Drones in Firefighting
SIW: How significant is the threat posed by unauthorized drones in restricted airspaces, particularly during emergency response efforts like firefighting?
Starr: Unauthorized drones represent a critical and escalating security challenge. The response must be specifically designed to address the growing risks in sensitive operational environments like emergency response in scenarios such as firefighting. Unauthorized drones in these situations can hurt security and safety, disrupt and endanger critical missions, and create unpredictable risks for first responders and public safety personnel and the public.
SIW: What are the most immediate operational risks and challenges posed by rogue drones during critical events like wildfire suppression?
Starr: Immediate operational risks include potential mid-air collisions, mission disturbance and interruption, and lack of situational awareness. The counter drone protective mission here should be precise, non-kinetic, non-disruptive measures that allow emergency services to maintain operational continuity. By neutralizing drone threats with minimal collateral damage risk or interference, critical missions like firefighting could proceed without unnecessary complications.
Advancing Counter-Drone Technology for Emergency Response
SIW: What types of counter-drone technologies are proving most effective in mitigating these risks, and what are their limitations in dynamic environments?
Starr: New generation technology such as radio frequency cyber-detection and takeover represents a surgical, software-based drone mitigation. Unlike traditional hard-kill or jamming approaches, this technology can allow for surgical, precise intervention that minimizes collateral disruption and maintains the integrity of the operational environment.
SIW: Are current regulations and enforcement measures sufficient to address rogue drone activity, and how can agencies collaborate more effectively to prevent disruptions?
Starr: Effective drone management and defense requires a multi-layered approach. Technology can support agencies by providing real-time detection, identification, and mitigation capabilities. Collaborative frameworks that integrate advanced technological solutions with comprehensive regulatory strategies, could enable more initiative-taking and intelligent drone threat management. Greater allowances for state and local first responders to use C-UAS technology, as currently under consideration in proposed legislation, would certainly provide more capabilities where its most needed in a timely manner.
SIW: How do you see rogue drone threats evolving in the coming years, and what should stakeholders prioritize to address these challenges proactively?
Starr: The future of drone security and defense demands intelligent and flexible solutions. Now is the time for a strong commitment to continuous innovation in counter-drone technology. Stakeholders should prioritize software-based, non-kinetic, non-jamming solutions that offer precision, minimal operational disruption, and the ability to evolve alongside emerging drone technologies.
