Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems Interceptor System
Problem statement
Imagine working your regular day as a mariner, when suddenly, your life is put at risk by disruptive drones attempting to intercept the ship by any means necessary. Low-cost drone disruption of maritime commercial shipping has become increasingly problematic. In the Red Sea, drones from 100 miles away can be rapidly deployed to autonomously target and immobilize a shipping vessel. A report from the Council on Foreign Relations reveals that these drone threats have led to shipping delays, financial losses, and a nearly tenfold increase in maritime insurance premiums, as shipping companies are forced to reroute ships or face increased risks in transportation. These instances underscore the need for an effective defense solution. The common counteroffensive is the cruise missile, a financially asymmetric solution. Our client, Sandia National Laboratory, is hoping to develop a counter-UAS drone that is easily manufacturable, disposable, and rapidly deployable because current solutions are complex, expensive, and unsustainable. Attacks will continue to occur and further compromise economic stability, disrupting global trade and leaving critical infrastructure vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated drone threats. In all, developing a solution will address the concurrent issues in the Red Sea with a more sustainable and practical approach to countering drone threats, ensuring both safety and operational efficiency for commercial shipping.
Team members
Peter Davis – facilitator
Micah Mitchell – communicator
Matthew Hage – accountant
Noel Suarez – admin
Client
Jason Guldan
Sandia National Labs