French company Microwave Characterization Center (MC2) Technologies has been supplying its Nerod RF counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) to the Ivorian government.
The Nerod RF is a handheld C-UAS solution addresses the growing threat posed by UAVs, which can infiltrate private, state, and military infrastructures.
Designed to counter the threat of commercial UAVs, the NEROD RF can be easily deployed in operational environments or for event security. It is capable of transmitting on seven frequency bands, either independently or simultaneously, generating powerful jamming signals against all sophisticated communication protocols used for UAV piloting, including those controlled by individuals or via satellite when autopilot is activated. The NEROD RF’s emission cone allows it to be used without precise targeting of the threat, ensuring broad-spectrum neutralization.
The Nerod RF works by generating noise signals at the radio frequencies (RFs) used by hostile UAVs. The C-UAS can transmit signals on seven frequency bands independently or simultaneously including 400 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.
Nerod RF can also jam the L1 and L2 signals of the Global Positioning System (GPS), disrupting the flight of a UAV. The GPS L1 signal operates at a frequency of 1575.42 MHz, whereas L2 operates at a frequency of 1227.60 MHz.
While the Nerod RF can jam GPS from a range of 2 km, the system’s RF jamming range depends upon the UAV’s distance from its operator, Gaquiere said. If the distance between the UAV and its operator is 1 km, Nerod RF will be able to jam the UAV’s RFs from a distance of 3–5 km.
The proliferation of drone technology across Africa has significantly expanded humanitarian, and military operations, although, still an emerging technology in the continent, however, in the hands of non-state armed groups, they pose a significant threat.
Ivorian military operates another type of counter-UAS system in form of the FIELDctrl 3D MIMO radars from Advanced Protection Systems (APS).
In April 2022, Polish surveillance company Advanced Protection Systems partnered with the Ivory Coast Special Forces to supply the force with its FIELDctrl 3D MIMO radars.
Advanced Protection Systems’ portable dismounted soldier version serves as an anti-drone solution. It is designed to simultaneously detect, track and classify Low-Slow-Small (LSS) devices and also any bigger threats as well as ground targets.
Slow adoption of counter-UAS solutions in Africa
As drones become increasingly accessible and affordable, their usage has grown exponentially across the African continent. While drones have numerous beneficial applications, such as in agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response, they are also being employed by non-state actors for illicit activities, posing significant security challenges.
Non-state actors, including insurgent groups, terrorists, and criminal organizations, have been leveraging drones for reconnaissance, surveillance, and weapon delivery purposes. Despite the growing threat posed by drones in Africa, many African militaries are falling short in fielding adequate counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solutions, leaving security forces vulnerable to emerging threats.
The proliferation of drones in Africa has been driven by several factors. First, drones are becoming more affordable and accessible, with a wide range of models available in the market at different price points. This has made it easier for non-state actors to acquire drones and use them for their nefarious activities.
Second, the lack of comprehensive regulations and guidelines for drone usage in many African countries has made it difficult for governments to effectively manage and control drone operations. This regulatory gap has been exploited by non-state actors who can operate drones without facing significant legal consequences. Third, the vast and often challenging terrains in Africa, including dense forests, deserts, and remote regions, make it difficult for security forces to effectively detect and intercept drones, allowing non-state actors to exploit these operational gaps.