Once a drone has been detected, there are several EW ways to take it out — from soft to hard:
- RF jammer (“drone gun” or fixed installation): breaks the C2 and/or GNSS link, after which the drone crashes, hovers or returns.
- GNSS spoofing: subtly steers the drone away from its target or forces a landing — more refined than jamming, because the drone does not realise it is being deceived.
- Protocol / cyber takeover: taking over the control protocol and “hijacking” the drone — the most advanced option, but very effective.
Important: jamming and spoofing are not selective. GNSS spoofing intended to keep drones out also disrupts civilian receivers in the area — a form of fratricide that calls for careful spectrum management (Doctrine & EMSO).