FBI Hunts ‘Unjammable’ Drones Using Old-School Tech
▼ Summary
– The FBI has issued a request for information (RFI) seeking drones that use wired, fiber-optic control instead of wireless connectivity.
– These tethered drones are harder to disable, as they cannot be jammed wirelessly and must instead be shot down or have their cable cut.
– A key feature is that modern wired drones can carry up to 50 miles of spooled cabling, allowing for significant operational range.
– The FBI is not specifying the intended use but states it will consider drones of any size or capability that meet national security regulations.
– This interest reflects a broader trend, as seen in conflict zones like Ukraine, toward using wired drones for their resilience against electronic warfare.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is actively seeking information on drones that operate using a physical tether, a technology that makes them highly resistant to wireless jamming. This official request highlights a growing demand for reliable unmanned systems in sensitive operational environments where maintaining a secure connection is paramount. By utilizing a fiber optic cable for control and data transmission, these tethered drones avoid the vulnerabilities inherent in standard radio frequency links, which can be disrupted or intercepted.
According to the request for information, the key requirement is fiber optic control. Drones supplied to the FBI must maintain a physical, wired link to a ground station and controller, moving away from the wireless connectivity common in consumer models. This approach mirrors tactics seen in modern conflict zones, where adversaries deploy tethered drones specifically because they cannot be neutralized through electronic warfare alone. Instead, they must be physically disabled, often a more challenging task.
The most significant limitation of this method is the need for extensive cabling to achieve operational range. However, technological advances have mitigated this issue. Modern tethered drones can now carry spools holding up to 50 miles of cable, allowing them to cover substantial distances while remaining securely linked to their operators on the ground.
The FBI has not publicly detailed the specific missions for which these robust drones are intended. The agency’s current focus is simply identifying potential suppliers capable of providing such systems. Their request states they will consider drones of “any size, class, and capability,” provided the offerings comply with the security mandates of the National Defense Authorization Act.
In general terms, the Bureau notes it employs unmanned aerial systems across a variety of operational facets during incident response. The push for jam-resistant models underscores the critical need for uninterrupted aerial support during high-stakes scenarios. While a physical tether prevents wireless jamming, it introduces a new vulnerability, the cable itself can be severed, which remains a potential method for disabling the aircraft.
The broader landscape of drone technology continues to evolve rapidly within both defense and security sectors. This development follows other notable advancements, such as research exploring how large swarms of drones could be used to disrupt satellite communications. The FBI’s interest in tethered systems is a clear indicator of the ongoing race to adopt more secure and resilient aerial platforms.
(Source: techradar)
