Software and security are not always about crackers trying to break into online stores. This time, something different: is that thick layer of software on top of existing radar technology really enough to act effectively and ethically?
We live in different times. That is clear. It is a shame to see the world seemingly taking a step back again. Large-scale wars happened decades ago. Even the Cold War now feels far away. And yet, conflict never seems to have completely disappeared.
What is different this time is the technology. Or is it not?
In modern conflicts, drones have become almost indispensable. Whether as scouts high in the air, or carriers of explosives, drones are everywhere.
Which raises the question: how can we defend ourselves against so many flying objects?
Radar is nothing new. But the way we use it today is. And the truth is, radar is still radar. The modern twist on that trusted technology relies heavily on a thick layer of software.
Back to the basics: radar sends out radio waves and listens for the echoes that bounce back. A signal is emitted from an antenna, and a receiving dish captures the reflected waves. With a bit of calculation, you can determine how far away something is, and how large it is.
For years, this worked quite well, especially for airplanes. Ideally, airplanes use a transponder, such as ADS-B. Just like ships do these days, they voluntarily broadcast their location along with additional information.
But in times of conflict, such courtesy cannot be taken for granted. Then we must rely on traditional ground radar, which allows us to "see" objects in the air without them transmitting anything.
This is where the problem with drones begins. Their radar reflection, or RCS (radar cross-section), is many times smaller than that of a passenger aircraft. And drones vary greatly: some are smaller than a bird, sometimes with four horizontal rotors; others are larger, with a jet-powered engine, making them more stable and faster in forward motion.
The detection method itself has not fundamentally changed. It still starts with sending out radio waves. But modern radar, thanks to advanced antennas and dishes, can now be made sensitive enough to detect even drones smaller than a bird.
And then comes the core question: how do you distinguish a bird from a drone? That is where complex software analysis comes in.
When modern radar detects something, a significant layer of software analysis follows. This looks not only at the RCS, but also at micro-Doppler patterns, movements characteristic of rotor blades or propellers, and unusual flight behavior. Sometimes stored patterns are used, heuristic recognition is applied, and in some systems even additional sensors, such as visual or infrared, are deployed.
Yet this remains an immense challenge. The risk of misclassification is always present. Perhaps it is even a friend, not a foe? In situations where rapid action is required, every effort is made to minimize risks, for example by establishing no-fly zones. Not including birds of course. But the balance remains precarious, especially in densely populated areas.
Modern drone detection shows how far technology can go, but also where the limits lie: birds, weather conditions, or unconventional drones can still cause confusion. Detection is possible, identification often, but perfection remains unattainable. Ultimately, it is about finding a balance between necessary innovation, financial feasibility, and what seems practically acceptably safe. At least today; tomorrow, the situation may be different.