LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE - PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY
Law enforcement should be aware that some of the new technologies being developed to support law enforcement and military operations are now available commercially. These devices, such as the Dragonfly Predator described below, could also be deployed by criminals to aid in surveillance, possible terrorism operations, and in any variety of criminal acts.
For more information, or for counter-measures recommendations, contact Chris Hall, Executive Director of the International Association of Professional Protections Specialists, at director@iapps.org or visit http://www.iapps.org.
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The Draganfly Predator, Radio Control Civilian Aerial Surveillance Platform could easily pose a threat to:
- Law Enforcement Operations
- Critical Infrastructure
- Close Protection Details
An online hobby shop is selling a scale radio control model version of the military UAV predator remote-piloted vehicle.
This product is unique in that it is powered by a high-endurance electric battery pack (1.5-hour endurance), an electric motor (making flight operations extremely quiet), and has the capability to be programmed to fly a surveillance orbit via an onboard GPS package.
Additionally, it can be easily modified to carry a small IED or other destructive payload.
Capability Summary:
- Small, lightweight, single person deployed, modular design
- GPS flight programming option, no human intervention to fly
- Standard Radio Control model airplane interface for direct piloting
- (50 channels available, PCM digital encoding 72Mhz/75Mhz and 50-52Mhz amateur radio blocks)
- Long endurance electrical battery power
- Quiet operation electric motor
- Effective paint camouflage
- Flight endurance of 1.5 hrs
- 8000 ft MSL effective flight ceiling
- 50 mph speed
- 2.1 mega pixel digital still camera onboard
- 2.4ghz radio controlled commercial color video camera onboard/ unencrypted
- Cost w/ gps and video broadcast capability. Under $2000 USD + $150 for radio controller
This platform is a threat to law enforcement/military operations, critical infrastructure, and close protection teams, as it may be used by OPFOR for remote/stealth image gathering of hardened/guarded targets from the air in “real time” via it’s rf video link ( 2 mile effective range, farther with specialized receiving gear) and onboard still camera.
Close up of electronics and imaging payload consisting of digital still camera and color video camera with 2.4Ghz radio downlink. Modular assembly makes the unit easily deployed by a single person, and easily concealed for transport.
Close up of still and color video camera ports, with 2.4Ghz video transmitter antenna
Sample digital still photo imaging resolution
Effective aerial camouflage coupled with battery propulsion makes detection difficult
Promotional picture depicting platform?s size in relation to person
Consumer Digital Radio Control on four channels, combined with live video, allow remote piloting up to 2 miles
High endurance battery system allows 1.5 hours of flight time
Source: International Association of Professional Protective Specialists (IAPPS)