German industrial giant Robert Bosch has applied for a patent for an innovative UAS-based counter-drone system. The patent outlines an approach to neutralising unauthorised drones by employing electromagnetic jamming signals emitted from defensive drones, a strategy that adds yet another arrow to the counter-UAS quiver.

A new approach to drone defence

Bosch’s system combines mobility and precision by mounting a jamming device on a UAV. This allows the defensive drone to target intruding UAS in mid-air. Unlike traditional counter-drone solutions, which often rely on ground-based signal jammers or larger kinetic drones designed to collide with threats, Bosch’s method enables the defensive drone to match the mobility of the foreign drone.

This flexibility offers a clear advantage over stationary or bulky alternatives, as the jamming UAS can pursue and neutralise threats at any location within its operational range.

How it works

The core of the invention lies in the method by which the defensive UAS approaches and disables a foreign drone. The defence drone is equipped with a jamming device that emits a powerful electromagnetic signal, disrupting the target’s control and communication systems.

The jamming signal is activated when the defensive drone reaches a predefined distance and height relative to the intruding drone. The system’s ability to maintain an optimal position ensures precise jamming, maximising effectiveness while reducing the risk of collateral interference.

The patent further describes a defence system that allows multiple drones to work together, creating a coordinated network of UAS capable of protecting sensitive areas or assets from a wide range of drone threats.

The increasing prevalence of drones in sensitive airspace has led to a surge in development for C-UAS products, driving demand for innovative and reliable solutions. Bosch’s UAS-based jamming system offers yet another approach that can be included in layered defence strategies, combining the portability and flexibility of a UAS with the cost efficiency of electromagnetic jamming.

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