The Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority has teamed up with NAV CANADA and QinetiQ Canada to trial technology for the timely detection of drones, making use of QinetiQ’s Obsidian micro-Doppler radar unit. The move responds to the findings of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on UAS Mitigation at Airports (BRTF)’s Report on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Mitigation at Airports, which emphasises the risks posed by drones.
“The trial with QinetiQ’s Obsidian Counter UAS System will provide all parties the opportunity to test a viable detection and mitigation system at an active airport,” said Mark Laroche, president and CEO of the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority. “The trial dovetails perfectly with both the Airport Authority’s Drone Incident Protocol and the recommendations in the BRTF’s [Blue Ribbon Task Force] Interim and Final reports.”
