“Drone-catching drones” will be deployed to cast nets over suspicious drones that radar detects approaching Winter Olympics venues.
This is just one of the safety measures announced by the Pyeongchang Olympics anti-Terrorism and Safety Headquarters to ensure security at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, which are fast approaching on Feb. 10. Around a million spectators, athletes, and guests – along with 26 heads of state from 21 countries – are expected to visit the opening and closing ceremonies and event venues during the Olympics.
Safety for the Pyeongchang Olympics is overseen by the Pyeongchang Olympics anti-Terrorism and Safety Headquarters, established in Nov. 2016 with the cooperation of 17 government agencies, including the National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC), National Intelligence Service (NIS), police, and armed forces. Up to 60,000 people a day will be working to combat terrorism and ensure safety during the Games. The headquarters is to begin around-the-clock operation on Feb. 1 after establishing local safety control offices at 18 major sites, including event venues, accommodations, and media centers.
KAIST to deploy radar in order to detect suspicious drones
Steps are being taken to guard against new forms of terrorist threat posed by drones. All of the areas near Olympics venues in Pyeongchang, Gangneung, and Jeongseon are being classified as no-fly zones. Access is to be barred completely to any non-approved aircraft or drones. In the event that a drone does approach, drone detection radar developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) is to be deployed. In cases where a suspicious drone is picked up by radar, drone radio signal-jamming guns are to be fired to bring it down. In addition to the use of drone-catching drones, special forces agents will be sent by helicopter to approach and shoot down the drone by shotgun.
Photo: Pyeongchang Olympics anti-Terrorism and Safety Headquarters
Source: Hankyoreh