Airborne Concept, a manufacturer of fixed-wing and multi-rotor drones, has tested a solution that allows certain drones to be visualised on air traffic control radar screens.

The test took place at France’s Toulouse-Francazal airport in the presence of the country’s Technical and Innovation Directorate (DTI) of the Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) representatives.

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During the test flight, a multirotor mini-drone fitted with an automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) transceiver, developed jointly by Airborne Concept and Egis, was used.

An experimental ADS-B station, set up within the DTI premise, has been able to detect the drone from a distance of 10km.

Egis said that similar to the aircraft detection system, the ADS-B transceiver fixed on the mini-drone allowed the DGAC operators to detect it in real time on an air traffic control screen.

"The new solution is also expected to ease public fear amid an increasing number of drones flying in the sky."

With the test, both Airborne Concept and Egis aim to show the potential use of their solution to detect and localise certain type of drones.

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The new solution is also expected to ease public fear amid an increasing number of drones flying in the sky.

Furthermore, the technology could comply with proposed legislation that requires a compulsory electronic reporting device on all drones.  

Airborne Concept and Egis Group have already registered a patent in order to industrialise their drone detection solution in future.

In July, Egis stated that the company along with Transdev would assist CCI Pau-Béarn in operation and management of Pau-Pyrénées Airport in Uzein, France.


Image: The drone detection test took place at France’s Toulouse-Francazal airport. Photo: courtesy of Egis.

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