AARTOS DDS: The High-Speed Drone Detection System Ensuring Safety at the Austrian Grand Prix

At the recent Formula 1 Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix 2024 in Spielberg, security teams utilized Aaronia's AARTOS high-speed drone detection system to safeguard attendees, drivers, and staff from unauthorized drone activity. The deployment of the AARTOS DDS system underscores the growing importance of preventing illegal drone usage at large events. The system, known for its strength and efficiency, was implemented in a mobile form within a Mercedes Sprinter vehicle.

It is important for security officials at large public events to incorporate drone detection and defense into their security plans. The threat posed by drones, including hobby drones, should not be overlooked, especially considering the potential danger they pose for targeted attacks. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of knowledge in the field of drone detection and defense, leading to the use of ineffective 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 use at Airpower 2022. It was evident that Aaronia AG's drone protection solution would be the top choice for ensuring safety during the race weekend. Aaronia's experts provide AARTOS DDS as a comprehensive service package that easily integrates into the current security setup. The advanced AARTOS X9 version, housed in a specially designed Mercedes Sprinter, can be deployed quickly and includes all the essential components for efficient drone protection.

The AARTOS system can detect the position, speed, and altitude of drones quickly. It scans various frequencies to detect drones using radio signals. The system provides real-time tracking of both the drone and its operator. Aaronia's RTSA-Suite PRO software is essential for this process, as it can identify and control most drones on the market, landing them safely if needed. Authorized security authorities can access real-time data via a mobile app to know the drone and operator's current location and take appropriate action.

Stephan Kraschansky, the CEO of Aaronia Austria, mentioned that there were many drone sightings near no-fly zones, leading to several interventions. Most of the time, warnings were enough to stop the pilots from flying in restricted areas. However, in some instances, they had to take over the drones and safely land them to prevent any dangers. Security officials were also involved in managing the drone pilots during these incidents.

To prevent unauthorized drone use, measures were put in place to protect both spectators and drivers throughout the event. The Formula 1 weekend was filled with thrilling on-track collisions, leading to an exciting race where George Russell achieved the first win of the season for the Mercedes team with a joyous third place finish.

During a demonstration, the Aaronia specialists showcased their fast, dependable, and effective drone detection system and also achieved a new record. They set a lap time of 7:14.29 in a Mercedes Sprinter, making them the record holders for mobile drone detection systems in Spielberg. This time was only 6:06.60 behind the fastest lap set by Fernando Alonso in an Aston Martin during the race.

To learn more about factors to keep in mind regarding safeguarding drones as a crucial component of contemporary security systems, check out the e-paper from Sicherheit. Das Fachmagazin.

Other articles in the same category include Zurich Airport's trial of Rohde & Schwarz security scanners, Sysdig's launch of India's first real-time cloud security SaaS platform, and Netskope being recognized as a leader in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Single-Vendor SASE. Additionally, transcosmos has become the first BPO services company in South Korea to achieve PCI DSS v4.0 certification. Radiflow and Garland Technology have partnered to enhance real-time anomaly detection in OT environments. STMicroelectronics is showcasing their microcontroller innovations and ultra low power MCUs. They are also dedicated to empowering edge AI innovation and advancing power electronics for aircraft electrification. STMicroelectronics' STM32 MCUs now support wireless connectivity. element14 is now offering Murata's UWB and LoRa modules for simplified wireless integration. Lastly, there is a new AI method that greatly speeds up predictions of materials' thermal properties.