London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-46623754

Looks like a sustained effort to cause maximum disruption. It will be interesting to see where this leads in the UK regarding the availability of UAVs for the general public.

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

Been watching this unfold on news channels here, apparently the authorities suspect two drones being flown at intervals, probably on pre-programmed flight paths.

I'd think it would be difficult to put that particular genie back in the box given the proliferation of them at this stage!

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

"Illegal to use or possess a drone without a permit. Illegal to import sell or rent a drone without a permit."

Could be done and I suspect will be.

Ron

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

For the type of drones that were used here, sure. These weren't DJI drones. Those are geofenced.

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

Apparently, you can hack drones if you've got the know how.

In this case it may be a "commercial" sized drone.

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

"Police have described the devices as “industrial” models and are treating the incident as “a deliberate act to disrupt the airport”.

Hacking is not necessary, and larger models are definitely more ideal.

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

The rumour mill here is in overdrive. Far more to this than casual aerial vandalism.

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

What is really worrying is the fact that none of the agencies were able to stop the drones from overflying the airport or even track them back to where they were launched from. It has exposed a massive hole in national security and the weaknesses in the security technology.

We have all come to believe what we see in blockbuster films, where everything that goes on around us can be monitored. Inspite of all the electronics, radar and security surrounding large airports, the people operating these drones were able to carry on for days, disrupting hundreds of flight and thousands of peoples lives. Dozens of police and vehicles were unable to find where they were coming from, and radar did not appear to be able to track them, even though air and ground monitoring radar is assumed to be quite sophisticated.

What would have happened if the drones were armed in some way or capable of dropping highly volatile dangerous chemicals. If there was no protection around a modern airport, how easy would it be to mount a concerted attack from inner cities onto government buildings, tourist centres, sports stadiums etc, where there would be even less aerial monitoring at low level.

Whatever happens now, the honeymoon period for drone users will be over and draconian measures are sure to be taken against usage and probably purchase.

As a postscript, two people were arrested this morning on suspicion of being involved, after military tracking equipment was brought in.

Roger

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

One of the reports of the arrest has stated that the couple were part of an ecological activist group and were from a nearby village due to be adversely affected by the planned expansion of the airport. Whatever it is, it's going to be interesting getting to the bottom of this one.

Andrew

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

How, exactly, would you do this?

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

Precisely, how would you do it? Which is why it is a big hole in the security!! Or are you asking me if I could do better than the security authorities? How would you do it exactly?

Roger

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

How about you don’t demand solutions when there may not even be a solution.

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

lots of conflicting reports circulating now, even one coming from Sussex Police from BBC
'A man and woman arrested in connection with drone sightings have been released without charge.

Sussex Police said there had been 67 reports of drone sightings - having earlier cast doubt on "genuine drone activity".

Det Ch Supt Jason Tingley said no footage of a drone had been obtained. And he said there was "always a possibility" the reported sightings of drones were mistaken.'

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

Hovering Kestrels?

Ron

Re: London Gatwick Airport: Drones ground flights [BBC News]
 

Swamp gas.