SoylentNews

tonyPick [soylentnews.org] writes:

Over at Make is a report on the development of an anti-drone "rifle" [makezine.com] by the non-profit research organisation Batelle [battelle.org]:

In a press release from Battelle, the gun is stated to use “radio control frequency disruption technologies to safely stop drones in the air, before they can pose a threat to military or civilian safety.” A video accompanying the post describes that it operates on standard GPS and ISM radio bands, allowing for it to interference with commercial UAV signals.

The original press release [battelle.org] describes the device as the first portable, accurate, rapid-to-use counter-weapon to stop suspicious or hostile drones in flight, providing critical security protection at home and abroad and having a range of 400 meters.

However the legality of such a device is also raised in the Make article, which states that:

According to FCC regulations, federal law prohibits the operation, marketing, or sale of any type of jamming equipment
...
Operation of a jammer in the United States may result in substantial monetary penalties, seizure of the unlawful equipment, and criminal sanctions including imprisonment.
...
However, some states are proposing legislation, like in California, that would allow firefighters and authorities to take down drones if they are interfering with an emergency situation like a wildfire. Blocking approach paths to airports, hovering over fires, and flying over freeways could be considered instances where those drones can be shot down. However, whether or not officials would legally be allowed to use a radio jammer like the DroneDefender remains unclear.

Original Submission