Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
Datron Scout assists in chemical train derailment
Datron’s Scout UAV has been successfully deployed to assist first responders dealing with a derailed tanker car containing toxic chemicals in Louisville, KY on 1 November. According to Datron, the UAV provided local, state and federal officials with real time video and photography to assess the extent of the incident.
The derailed tanker car was carrying butadiene, a chemical commonly found in the rubber used to make tires, as well as hydrogen fluoride which can cause severe respiratory damage.
Joel Embry, president of Drone Systems, said: ‘We were able to fly directly over the site of the derailment at various altitudes on multiple days to provide high resolution video as well as still photography to the teams on the ground. They were literally taking the photography we provided and using them in real time in their situational briefings to make decisions on progress as well as next steps.
‘The ability to deploy the Datron Scout within minutes coupled with the quality of the imagery and the absence of risk to any personnel collecting the imagery made the Datron Scout the perfect solution to assess the situation in real-time. The expense associated with using a Datron Scout represents a fraction of the cost of deploying a helicopter for this type of aerial observation and intelligence gathering.’
Scout’s ‘hover and stare’ capability provides sustained, in-depth observation and documentation of specific locations. The unit’s rugged design assures flight capability in inclement weather with wind gusts up to 50 MPH.
Chris Barter, Scout Program Manager at Datron, added: ‘This is exactly the type of public safety scenario the Datron Scout was designed for. When the situation requires an in depth aerial view of the circumstances and quick response without risk to the team on the ground, the Scout provides the ideal solution.’
You may also like
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
-
![L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms]()
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
![ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025]()
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
