A numberplate system for drones that is designed to make the skies safer has been announced by the government as part of a £46.5m funding package.
Drones have the potential to cause major disruption in areas with sensitive airspace such as military facilities and airports. In December 2018, two drones flew into Gatwick Airport’s airspace, forcing the closure of its main runway and causing 48 hours of chaos for thousands of passengers. Anti-drone tech was later installed at the airport in a bid to prevent another incident.
A new system called Hybrid Remote ID is set to be deployed. This will see drones sending out their ID and location during flight so nearby devices can pick it up, sharing flight details through an online system that authorised people can access to see historic flight data. The system will enable law enforcement to identify and take action against people who break the rules, and also take drones out of the sky if necessary.
The funding includes £26.5m for new regulations...