Monday, March 18, 2013

Oregon Company to Sell Drone Defense Technology to Public

Do you want to keep drones out of your backyard? An Oregon company says that it has developed and will soon start selling technology that disables unmanned aircraft. The company, called Domestic Drone Countermeasures, was founded in late February because some of its engineers see unmanned aerial vehicles—which are already being flown by law enforcement in some areas and could see wider commercial integration into American airspace by 2015—as unwanted eyes in the sky. "I was personally concerned and I think there's a lot of other people worried about this," says Timothy Faucett, a lead engineer on the project. "We've already had many inquiries, a lot of people saying 'Hey, I don't want these drones looking at me.'" Domestic Drones Countermeasures was formed as a spin-off company from Aplus Mobile, which sells rugged computer processors to defense contractors—though the company won't discuss its specific technology because it is still applying for several patents. Faucett says that work has helped inform its anti-drone technology. The company will sell land-based boxes that are "non-offensive, non-combative and not destructive." According to the company, "drones will not fall from the sky, but they will be unable to complete their missions." Though Faucett wouldn't discuss specifics, he says the boxes do not interfere with a drone's navigation system and that it doesn't involve "jamming of any kind." "We understand the nature of the equipment drone manufacturers are using and understand how to counter their sensors," Faucett says. "We're not going to be countering Predator drones that are shooting cruise missiles, but we're talking about local law enforcement drones and commercial ones that people might be using for spying." For now, Faucett admits the technology is "expensive," but the company is already ready to design custom anti-drone boxes for customers...more

Another article about the company, Domestic Drone Countermeasures, tells us:

“If there’s going to be private and commercial drones, there will be people who want to safeguard information,” DDC’s Tim Faucett told Portland’s KOIN 6 News last month. “Think about industrial espionage, or companies that don’t want drones around their facilities.”

Faucett is no stranger to working around factories — he also runs a company, Aplus Mobile, that has been recognized for providing “high quality computer and appliances” to defense contractors that deal with drones, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. As recently as November, in fact, Faucett said he was pleased his company’s “technology and workforce dedication continues to provide products that meet or exceed the expectations of our military.”

Now as the cousins of those military drones are being prepared for domestic use, Faucett is using his know-how to help make sure anti-drone advocates are safe and sheltered.

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