Protecting the Skies: AARTOS High-Speed Drone Detection System Ensures Safety at Austrian Grand Prix

During the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix 2024 in Spielberg, security teams used Aaronia's AARTOS High-Speed Drone Detection System to protect against unauthorized drone use. The safety of everyone at the event was a major concern, leading to the deployment of this powerful system in a mobile version inside a Mercedes Sprinter. Detection and prevention of illegal drones have become crucial at large events, ensuring the audience, drivers, and crews are kept safe.

It is important for security officials at large public events to include drone detection and defense in their security plans. Even seemingly harmless hobby drones can pose a risk, especially if they are used for targeted attacks. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of understanding in the field of drone detection and defense, leading to the use of inadequate solutions or none at all.

During the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix 2024, the security officials were already familiar with AARTOS DDS due to its successful implementation at Airpower 2022. It was evident that Aaronia AG's drone protection solution would be the top choice for ensuring security during the race weekend. Aaronia's experts provide AARTOS DDS as a comprehensive service package that can easily integrate into the existing security setup. The advanced AARTOS X9, housed in a specially designed Mercedes Sprinter, can be deployed within minutes and comes equipped with all the tools needed for efficient drone protection.

The system is able to track the location, speed, and altitude of drones quickly and accurately. It scans different frequencies to detect all drones using radio signals. The AARTOS system offers real-time tracking of both the drone and its operator, with the help of Aaronia's RTSA-Suite PRO software. This software can identify most commercial drones, take control of them if needed, and safely land them. Authorized security authorities can access this data through a mobile app, allowing them to always know the current whereabouts of the drone and its operator in real time.

Stephan Kraschansky, the CEO of Aaronia Austria, mentioned that they had to deal with multiple drone sightings near the no-fly zones. They had to intervene a few times, mostly by warning the pilots about their actions. In some instances, they had to take control of the drones and land them safely to prevent any potential dangers. Security officials also handled the drone pilots during these situations.

To guarantee the well-being of both spectators and drivers, measures were taken to prevent unauthorized drone usage throughout the event. The weekend featured multiple collisions on the racing track involving Formula 1 vehicles, resulting in an exhilarating race weekend. George Russell emerged as the winner of the first season for the Mercedes team, bringing a smile to their faces.

The Aaronia specialists showcased a drone detection system that was not only quick, dependable, and effective but also achieved a new record. Their team set a lap time of 7:14.29 in the Mercedes Sprinter, making them the record holders for mobile drone detection systems in Spielberg. Their lap time was only 6:06.60 short of the fastest lap during the race, which was driven by Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin.

To learn more about the factors to take into account for drone security in today's security systems, check out the electronic publication from Sicherheit. Das Fachmagazin.

Other articles featured on the website include Zurich Airport's trial of Rohde & Schwarz security scanners, Sysdig launching India's first real-time cloud security SaaS platform, Netskope being recognized as a leader in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Single-Vendor SASE, and tips on future-proofing industrial network security. Additionally, transcosmos has become the first PCI DSS v4.0 certified BPO services company in South Korea, Radiflow and Garland Technology are collaborating to enhance real-time anomaly detection in OT environments, and STMicroelectronics is showcasing innovations in microcontrollers and ultra-low power MCUs. The company is also advancing power electronics for aircraft electrification and supporting wireless connectivity with its STM32 MCUs. In addition, element14 now offers Murata's UWB and LoRa modules for simplified wireless integration, and there is an AI method that accelerates predictions of materials' thermal properties.