CACI International [CACI] on Thursday launched SkyTracker, the company’s system to detect and track unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their ground operators for use in monitoring protected airspace and high-value assets.
SkyTracker can be used to protect airports, critical infrastructure or events, CACI said.
“CACI’s SkyTracker system provides our customers with the unique capability to precisely locate unmanned aircraft systems and their ground operators,” John Mengucci, CACI’s chief operating officer and president of U.S. operations, said in a statement. “In addition to the protection of airports, an effort undertaken in our recently announced research and development agreement with the federal government, SkyTracker has broad applications in the protection of critical infrastructure, stadiums, events, or anywhere drones pose a potential risk to people or assets.”
In October the Federal Aviation Administration announced a Pathfinder agreement with CACI to evaluate the company’s technology for detecting UAS near airports. At the time CACI did not disclose the name of its system or how it works. The agreement calls for the FAA to evaluate the SkyTracker technology at airports.
SkyTracker uses UAS’ radio links to passively and precisely locate and identify whether the drone is flying in banned or protected airspace, CACI said. The company also said the system doesn’t interfere with nearby legitimate electronics or communications systems, or with UAS systems that are being operated responsibly, and can operate around-the-clock in all weather conditions.
CACI said the SkyTracker system is modular and scalable and can protect assets in compact locations such as government buildings or in wide areas defense of airports and military bases.