Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) refers to the operation of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) at distances where the remote pilot cannot maintain direct, unaided visual contact with the aircraft. Unlike Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) operations, which require the pilot to observe the drone’s attitude and altitude manually, BVLOS relies on a digital Read more
Glossary
Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS / Counter-Drone)
Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), also known as Counter-Drone Systems, refer to the range of technologies, methods, and procedures designed to detect, track, identify, and mitigate unauthorized or hostile drones operating in controlled or restricted airspace. C-UAS encompasses both passive and active defense measures that integrate sensors, communications intelligence, and response mechanisms to ensure airspace safety, Read more
Directed Energy Weapons (DEW)
Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) refer to a class of counter-drone technologies that utilize concentrated electromagnetic energy instead of kinetic projectiles to degrade, damage, or destroy an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Unlike traditional ballistic measures that rely on physical impact, DEW systems transmit energy at the speed of light to inflict thermal or electronic damage upon Read more
Drone Swarm
A Drone Swarm refers to multiple unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operating in a coordinated or semi-autonomous manner to achieve a common objective, often sharing information and reacting collectively to environmental or operational inputs.In the context of Counter-UAS (C-UAS), the term covers scenarios in which dozens or even hundreds of drones act simultaneously, overwhelming conventional defenses Read more
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
The FAA is the national aviation authority of the United States, responsible for the safety, security, and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS). Its mission is to ensure that all aircraft—both manned and unmanned—can coexist safely within a single, integrated airspace environment. The FAA is the primary gatekeeper for C-UAS activities in the United Read more
Frequency Hopping
Frequency Hopping (more formally known as Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum, or FHSS) is a method of transmitting radio signals by rapidly switching a carrier among many frequency sub-channels occupying a large spectral band. The changes are controlled by a pseudorandom code or pattern known to both the transmitter and receiver, ensuring they switch to the Read more
GPS/GNSS Spoofing
GPS Spoofing (more broadly, GNSS spoofing) is a non-kinetic soft-kill mitigation technique that involves transmitting counterfeit satellite signals to deceive a drone’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. Unlike jamming, which simply overpowers signals to cause a loss of navigation, spoofing provides the target with false Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) data, allowing the defender Read more
Hard Kill
Hard-kill refers to the use of physical force or directed energy to achieve the structural destruction or permanent mechanical disablement of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Unlike soft-kill methods, which target the drone’s software or communication links, hard-kill measures are designed to physically intercept the aircraft, rendering it flight-incapable. These methods are typically utilized in Read more
Line of Sight (LOS)
Line of Sight (LOS) refers to the direct, unobstructed visual or radio path between a drone and its operator or control station.In unmanned aerial system (UAS) operations, LOS has two main contexts: In C-UAS operations, LOS defines both detection effectiveness and communication link vulnerability, influencing how systems locate, identify, and neutralize drones. Why It Matters Read more
Low-Altitude Airspace Security
Low-altitude airspace security involves the measures, technologies, and frameworks used to monitor and protect the airspace typically extending from the ground to 500 feet. This domain is specifically designed to address the unique challenges posed by small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in urban environments and near critical infrastructure. The objective is a comprehensive Detect, Track, Read more
No-Fly Zone (NFZ)
A No-Fly Zone (NFZ), also known as Restricted Airspace, refers to a designated area where the operation of aircraft or unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is limited or prohibited by aviation authorities for reasons of safety, national security, or public interest. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), restricted or prohibited areas are defined under 14 Read more
RF Jamming
RF Jamming is a form of Electronic Attack (EA) that involves the deliberate radiation of electromagnetic energy to disrupt, degrade, or neutralize the radio frequency communications of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). By transmitting interfering signals toward the target’s receiver, whether on the drone itself or the ground control station (GCS), jamming “swamps” the legitimate Read more
Soft Kill
Soft-kill refers to the use of non-kinetic means to disable, divert, or neutralize an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Unlike hard-kill methods that rely on physical force to achieve structural destruction, soft-kill techniques target the electromagnetic spectrum or functional logic of the drone. These methods typically disrupt the radio frequency (RF) communications between the ground control Read more
