Low-Impact Drone Containment Defense System
Location
Loosemore Auditorium
Description
PURPOSE: In recent warfare, drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) [1, 2] were widely used to carry explosive payloads to their targets. If these drones were to carry a hazardous biochemical payload, firing projectiles at them with conventional defense equipment may not prevent the payload from being delivered. The goal of this project was to develop a low-impact drone containment defense system that will bring the drone to the ground without significantly damaging it, in such a way that the biochemical payload is contained. PROCEDURES: Research of existing military drone defense systems [3, 4] and the deployment of biochemicals in warfare [5, 6] was conducted. The information was used to assess the abilities of military defense systems to contain a biochemical payload. Engineer design procedures [7] were applied to expand on existing systems and determine the requirements of a new defense system. Three ideas were developed, and a prototype was created from the most feasible concept. OUTCOME: The best concept was determined to be a rocket-propelled blanket that could be launched from a ground station. It would encapsulate the drone and bring it to the ground with a parachute. A handheld prototype was created, with weighted projectiles replacing the rockets and a net replacing the blanket. IMPACT: The distribution of any biochemical weapons could seriously harm humans and animals, kill plants, create imbalanced soil chemistry, contaminate water sources, and render land unhabitable [8]. An effective defense system for a drone carrying biochemical weapons will preserve human health and protect the environment.
Low-Impact Drone Containment Defense System
Loosemore Auditorium
PURPOSE: In recent warfare, drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) [1, 2] were widely used to carry explosive payloads to their targets. If these drones were to carry a hazardous biochemical payload, firing projectiles at them with conventional defense equipment may not prevent the payload from being delivered. The goal of this project was to develop a low-impact drone containment defense system that will bring the drone to the ground without significantly damaging it, in such a way that the biochemical payload is contained. PROCEDURES: Research of existing military drone defense systems [3, 4] and the deployment of biochemicals in warfare [5, 6] was conducted. The information was used to assess the abilities of military defense systems to contain a biochemical payload. Engineer design procedures [7] were applied to expand on existing systems and determine the requirements of a new defense system. Three ideas were developed, and a prototype was created from the most feasible concept. OUTCOME: The best concept was determined to be a rocket-propelled blanket that could be launched from a ground station. It would encapsulate the drone and bring it to the ground with a parachute. A handheld prototype was created, with weighted projectiles replacing the rockets and a net replacing the blanket. IMPACT: The distribution of any biochemical weapons could seriously harm humans and animals, kill plants, create imbalanced soil chemistry, contaminate water sources, and render land unhabitable [8]. An effective defense system for a drone carrying biochemical weapons will preserve human health and protect the environment.