Taking a step closer to rogue drone-free airports

Drone technology has advanced by leaps and bounds in the last few years, becoming a valuable tool in commerce, scientific research, medical services and the military. However, for airports, drones spell danger. Irrespective of whether a drone pilot’s intention is innocent or not, if a drone collides with a fast-moving plane it can cause significant damage.

This is why when drones are detected, airports ground aircraft or reduce an approaching plane’s speed in order to limit damage if it collides with the drone. However, such measures are costly to both the airport and airlines. Unfortunately, while many different systems are currently being developed to prevent rogue drones from entering unauthorised areas, these solutions are not usually developed with airports in mind. Since its launch in November 2020, the ASPRID project, which received funding from the SESAR Joint Undertaking, has been developing a system with the specific goal to protect airports from intrusions by unauthorised drones.The ASPRID team created a system architecture able to identify technologies, procedures and regulations that can help airports recover from a drone disruption as quickly and efficiently as possible. They recently carried out a gaming exercise to test the operational concept of the system.

As reported in a press release posted on the ASPRID website, the gaming exercise involved the enactment of “scenarios in which real-time airport traffic simulation software tools have been used.” The aim of the exercise was to demonstrate the system’s effectiveness in reacting to drone threats at airports and to develop a reporting environment during the project.

Air traffic controllers from ASPRID project partner ENAIRE, Spain, and experts from safety and operations divisions of project partner Aena, also in Spain, took part in the simulations. The test was held at the facilities of the country’s National Institute of Aerospace Technology, which is the project coordinator. It was organised together with Italian project partners Soul Software, ALI – Aerospace Laboratory for Innovative Components, and the Italian Aerospace Research Centre.

The press release provides details on how the data collected will be used: “Information from qualitative and quantitative data collected during the exercise, by means of questionnaires conducted among experts, will be evaluated taking into account human performance, system efficiency and the impact on airport security.”

Through its integrated approach, the project aims to help increase airport operational and cost efficiency. It will also enhance safety and security by increasing awareness and preventing or mitigating the effects of drone threats.

ASPRID (Airport System Protection from Intruding Drones) has brought together seven partners from Spain, France and Italy with expertise in airport environments, research and innovation technologies, drone operations, information technology, and safety and security. The project ends in November 2022.

For more information, please see:

ASPRID project website