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As drone operations become increasingly common across public safety, critical infrastructure, and security domains, the need for reliable airspace awareness is more urgent than ever. The growing use of both authorized and unauthorized drones - combined with rising geopolitical tensions - has pushed governments, critical infrastructure managers, and private security operators to rethink how they monitor and control low-altitude airspace.

To ensure safety, security, and operational continuity, drone operators and airspace managers must combine three layers of capability:

1. Drone Operations Management (e.g., AirHub’s Drone Operations Platform)

2. UTM/U-space Connectivity (for situational awareness of cooperative traffic)

3. Drone Detection Systems (for visibility into non-cooperative or unauthorized drones)

This blog provides a deeper dive into the different types of drone detection technologies and how AirHub supports organisations with both software integration and regulatory guidance to ensure a full airspace picture.

Why Drone Detection Is Essential

While U-space and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems provide valuable information about cooperative drone traffic - i.e., drones that voluntarily share their flight data or have filed flight plans - they don’t cover all drones.

A significant number of drones operate non-cooperatively: they may not broadcast their position, may not comply with Remote ID requirements, or may even be deliberately hostile. Whether due to technical limitations or malicious intent, these drones pose a growing challenge for airspace security, especially near critical infrastructure.

That’s where drone detection systems come in: to fill the blind spots left by UTM and give operators real-time awareness of all drone activity, not just the compliant ones.

The Different Types of Drone Detection Technologies

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for detecting drones. Different environments and use cases require different approaches. The most common types of detection technologies include:

1. Radio Frequency (RF) Detection

These systems scan for signals transmitted between a drone and its remote controller. They are passive (i.e., do not emit signals themselves) and can identify make/model, location, and often the pilot's location.

• Pros: Widely used, cost-effective, and easy to deploy

• Cons: Ineffective against autonomous drones or those using encrypted or frequency-hopping signals

2. Radar Systems

Radars detect objects by bouncing radio waves off them, similar to conventional air traffic surveillance systems. Specialized low-altitude drone radars are optimized to detect small, slow, and low-flying objects.

• Pros: Effective in wide open areas and can track multiple targets

• Cons: May struggle in cluttered urban environments or with small drones in certain conditions

3. Optical/Visual Detection (EO/IR Cameras)

These systems use electro-optical or infrared (EO/IR) cameras and advanced computer vision to visually detect and track drones.

• Pros: Can provide visual confirmation of drone presence, useful for classification and evidence

• Cons: Limited range, weather dependent, and often require line-of-sight

4. Acoustic Detection

These sensors listen for the unique audio signatures of drones using microphones and audio analysis software.

• Pros: Useful in GPS- or RF-denied environments

• Cons: Limited range and susceptible to environmental noise (wind, traffic, etc.)

5. Hybrid Systems

Modern installations often combine two or more of the above technologies to cover each system’s weaknesses and increase detection reliability.

Toward a Unified Airspace Picture

A true “airspace picture” means knowing where your own drones are, where cooperative traffic is operating, and where unauthorized drones may be active. AirHub’s approach is built around this principle of multi-layered awareness:

In our Drone Operations Center (DOC), users can:

• Plan and monitor drone operations

• Connect to U-space/UTM systems to receive live cooperative traffic data

• Integrate with drone detection systems to detect non-cooperative or unauthorized drones

• Overlay geozones, restricted areas, and airspace structures to improve operational planning

This combination ensures that airspace managers, security teams, and public safety operators get a comprehensive view of what’s happening in the air - especially around sensitive sites like ports, industrial zones, railway hubs, energy infrastructure, and border areas.

Our Consultancy Services: Building Strategy and Compliance

In addition to technical integration, AirHub Consultancy supports government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and private companies in:

• Developing policies and procedures for integrating drone detection into security and operations workflows

• Designing airspace protection strategies around critical infrastructure

• Assessing counter-drone and detection technology options

• Supporting regulatory alignment with EU and national laws (e.g. privacy, data processing, evidencing intrusions)

• Training teams to understand detection data and integrate it with incident response

We also support the development of risk-based operating procedures for drone operations near sensitive areas, including SORA-based risk assessments and Emergency Response Plans (ERP) that take into account the presence (or absence) of drone detection capabilities.

Final Thoughts

Drone detection is no longer optional. It’s a critical capability for any organisation operating drones, managing critical infrastructure, or tasked with securing sensitive airspace.

But detection alone isn’t enough. You need integration, interpretation, and action. That’s why AirHub combines detection integrations, UTM connectivity, and operational planning in a single platform - supported by a team of consultants who understand the regulatory, technical, and operational landscape.

If you’d like to explore how AirHub can help you monitor your airspace, improve situational awareness, or integrate drone detection into your security and safety workflows, reach out to us today.

As drone technology matures, critical infrastructure operators are increasingly turning to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to monitor assets, improve operational efficiency, and enhance safety. From linear infrastructure like railways and highways to complex environments like ports, industrial zones, and renewable energy sites, drones have become indispensable tools. And as the technology evolves, so do the deployment models, shifting from manually piloted flights to fully automated Drone-in-a-Box (DiaB) systems.

But with this evolution come challenges: especially around airspace integration, regulatory constraints, and operational scalability. In this blog, we explore the growing role of drones in infrastructure monitoring, the move toward remote and automated systems, and the regulatory landscape that public and private operators must navigate.

From Manual Missions to Drone-in-a-Box

Traditionally, infrastructure inspections have relied on manual drone operations where a remote pilot physically travels to the site, launches the drone, collects visual data, and returns for processing. While effective in many cases, this model is labor-intensive and limits scalability.

The emergence of Drone-in-a-Box solutions such as DJI Dock has fundamentally changed this. These systems allow for fully automated flights, scheduled or triggered remotely, without requiring on-site personnel. Once installed at key infrastructure points, they can:

• Launch on pre-programmed routes or emergency triggers

• Capture high-resolution visual, thermal, or multispectral data

• Return to base, recharge, and be ready for the next mission

• Upload data automatically for processing or AI-based analysis

The result: faster, safer, and more consistent monitoring with minimal human intervention.

Public vs. Civil Applications

The use of drones in infrastructure monitoring spans both public sector authorities and private sector industries:

Public Applications

• Road and rail operators: Routine inspections of bridges, embankments, tunnels, and slopes

• Waterway managers: Monitoring of dikes, canals, sluices, and flood barriers

• Port authorities: Overseeing quay walls, vessel traffic, and perimeter security

• Municipalities and provinces: Urban infrastructure mapping and maintenance planning

Civil Applications

• Industrial inspections: Tank farms, pipelines, transmission towers, and factories

• Renewable energy: Monitoring of solar parks, wind turbines, and grid connections

• Construction: Progress tracking, volumetric analysis, and site safety assessments

• Utilities: Power lines, substations, and telecom mast monitoring

In all these domains, drones offer a safer, faster, and more cost-effective alternative to manned inspections or ground patrols.

Regulatory Challenges: BVLOS as a Limiting Factor

To unlock the full potential of DiaB systems, especially for remote or large-scale operations, flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) is essential. However, the regulatory requirements for BVLOS operations - particularly in the Specific category under EASA regulations - remain a barrier for many commercial operators.

Operators must conduct a Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA), implement safety mitigations, and receive operational authorization from their national aviation authority. Key challenges include:

• Lack of harmonised Detect and Avoid (DAA) standards for unmanned traffic

• Requirement to operate in atypical or segregated airspace unless DAA is implemented

• Limitations on airspace access for commercial operators, especially in complex environments

This often means that public/state entities - such as road agencies or port authorities - may benefit from looser regulatory requirements. In some EU Member States, public authorities can perform BVLOS operations with greater freedom due to their state actor status. In contrast, civil/commercial operators must comply with the full set of operational mitigations.

The Role of AirHub

At AirHub, we support infrastructure managers and operators on both sides of this divide - public and private - with a combination of consultancy and software:

AirHub Consultancy

• Supporting clients with SORA applications and airspace strategy

• Drafting operations manuals, emergency response plans, and checklists

• Advising on regulatory pathways for BVLOS operations, including DAA strategies

• Coordinating with authorities to enable integration into urban or sensitive environments

AirHub Software

• Mission planning and real-time operations through our Drone Operations Center (DOC)

• Integration with Drone-in-a-Box systems like DJI Dock

• Automated checklists, maintenance tracking, and regulatory documentation

• Real-time airspace visibility, including ATC zones and U-space integration

• Overlay tools for asset mapping, terrain awareness, and proximity to sensitive zones

Whether you are a public infrastructure agency planning a corridor for automated flights or an industrial operator looking to scale your inspection program, AirHub enables you to do so legally, efficiently, and safely.

Final Thoughts

Drones are no longer experimental tools, they are fast becoming core components in the digital transformation of infrastructure management. The shift from manual to automated, from visual line-of-sight to remote operations, is happening now. But to scale these benefits, operators must navigate a complex mix of technology, regulation, and operational planning.

If your organisation is exploring the use of drones or Drone-in-a-Box systems for critical infrastructure monitoring, our team at AirHub is here to support you every step of the way - from regulatory approvals to operational deployment.

Drones are rapidly becoming a critical tool in the world of security. From protecting sensitive infrastructure to supporting border surveillance, the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has evolved from manual, pilot-on-site missions to highly automated, remotely supervised Drone-in-a-Box (DiaB) deployments.

As public safety agencies and private security companies increasingly adopt drone technology, the benefits - faster response times, improved situational awareness, and operational efficiency - are becoming clear. However, these advancements also bring new regulatory challenges, particularly for beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations.

From Manual Patrols to Autonomous Overwatch

Security applications were among the first use cases for professional drone operations. Initially, these missions were flown manually with pilots on-site, providing aerial views during perimeter patrols, event monitoring, or incident response.

Today, we see a strong shift towards automated DiaB systems that can be permanently installed at strategic locations such as ports, energy facilities, or along national borders. These systems can:

• Launch autonomously in response to sensor alerts or scheduling

• Stream real-time video and data to a remote control center

• Return to the docking station for charging and data upload

• Be integrated with ground-based sensors, alarms, or detection systems

This makes drones a persistent, scalable security asset - capable of providing overwatch, incident response, mapping, and inspection, all in one platform.

Public vs. Private Security Applications

Public Security Use Cases

For public authorities, drones are being deployed in a variety of missions:

• Customs and Border Protection: Monitoring remote areas, detecting smuggling activities, or tracking irregular border crossings

• Coast Guards: Conducting coastal surveillance, vessel identification, or search-and-rescue coordination

• Police and State Security Forces: Responding to threats near sensitive facilities, conducting aerial overwatch, or supporting tactical operations

These state operators often benefit from more regulatory flexibility. In many EU Member States, public authorities are exempt from some of the more stringent requirements for BVLOS operations, enabling them to fly in Class G airspace without full detect-and-avoid systems or even full SORA compliance, provided safety is otherwise ensured.

Civil and Industrial Security Applications

On the commercial side, security companies are deploying drones for:

• Port surveillance

• Perimeter patrols of energy infrastructure (including nuclear sites)

• Monitoring of railways and depots

• Industrial site security in petrochemical zones, refineries, or logistics hubs

In these environments, drones are increasingly used for both security (live monitoring, threat detection) and inspection/mapping (infrastructure checks, thermal imaging, digital twin creation). However, for commercial operators, the regulatory requirements are more strict - especially for BVLOS operations.

To legally fly beyond visual line-of-sight in most European countries, commercial operators must:

• Operate within atypical airspace (e.g., close to structures or inside segregated areas)

• Obtain a SORA-based operational authorisation

• Implement compensating mitigations such as parachute systems, strategic deconfliction, or detect-and-avoid (DAA) capabilities

Without a harmonised DAA standard, BVLOS remains a significant hurdle for private security operators.

Airspace Awareness and Airspace Integration

To safely integrate security drones into shared airspace, operators increasingly combine DiaB platforms with drone detection systems or cooperative airspace tools. These help operators:

• Detect manned aircraft using ADS-B data

• Identify other drones in the vicinity using drone detection systems

• Establish clear airspace corridors using UTM/U-space and geofencing solutions

AirHub is actively integrating with platforms such as SafeSky and ground-based drone detection systems to enable full airspace situational awareness, helping operators avoid mid-air conflicts and meet key mitigation requirements under SORA.

Supporting Safe and Compliant Security Drone Operations

At AirHub, we support both public agencies and commercial operators with:

Consultancy Services

• End-to-end support in obtaining SORA authorisations, including:

  • Concept of Operations (ConOps)

  • SORA risk assessment

  • Operations Manual (OM) and Emergency Response Plans

• Strategic advice on airspace classification, mitigation selection, and U-space readiness

Software Solutions

• The AirHub Drone Operations Center (DOC) enables you to:

  • Monitor multiple DiaB systems remotely

  • Set up automated flight schedules or response triggers

  • View live video and telemetry streams

  • Integrate with C-UAS systems and airspace data sources

  • Maintain full audit trails for compliance and reporting

Our platform is ISO27001-certified, offers Secure Data Mode (blocking all outgoing data except to selected servers), and supports Single Sign-On (SSO) for enterprise-level access control - ensuring both data security and operational accountability.

Final Thoughts

Whether securing a national border or protecting a high-value industrial site, drones are proving to be a transformative asset in the security sector. But the shift from manual to autonomous operations - and from visual to BVLOS flights - requires a deep understanding of both the technology and the evolving regulatory framework.

At AirHub, we help organisations bridge this gap. With a strong combination of consulting expertise and scalable software solutions, we enable public and private stakeholders to unlock the full potential of drone security operations—safely, legally, and effectively.