If you need to bring a drone down what is the best way? Do we just shoot them?

Until now that really has been the best way to deal with unwanted drones. Lucky for all of us UK defense firm Selex ES has developed a system of electromagnets. These can be used to remotely control consumer drones and land them out of harms way with no damage. This should be welcome news to drone lovers and haters alike.

With systems like this it means the odds of the bad apple in the bunch ruining drone fun for everyone becomes less likely. There have been a few such cases in the news lately. Some of these cases have already been all over the news. Not long ago we heard story of panic at the White House when a consumer model Phantom was accidentally landed on the White House lawn. This caused quite a commotion for the White House security due to concerns raised at a military technology conference held in West Virginia in January 2015. On display in the conference were drones, exactly like the one that was landed on the lawn, with 3 lbs of explosives strapped to them.

More recently we hear the story of a security guard in the UK, one of the first to be tried and found guilty, who was flying drones over soccer matches and tourist spots. This has recently been declared as a big no-no. After his guilty verdict he has been ordered to not operate a drone for the next 2 years and was forced to pay a fine.

With all of this going on you are likely wondering HOW Selex ES plans on controlling the drones. The solution they have come up with is quite devious and clever. Their system, the Falcon Shield, makes use of radar, thermal imaging cameras and a multitude of electro-optical sensors. These sensors monitor and geo-locate the radio emissions being broadcast out by a consumer UAV. Once located a computerized system initiates pre-determined actions to either halt drones in their tracks or alert the user to the potential danger.

Obviously Selex ES can’t go into great detail due to proprietary classified technology developed with military customers, but they say that drones can be detected, taken over and then flown to land safely away from the target being protected.

What do you think of this new technology?
Is this a good thing or bad thing for the users of drones?
Does knowing such securities exist make you more comfortable with drones being around?
We would love to hear your opinion!