Lithuania is installing new drone detection systems at its three international airports – Palanga, Kaunas and Vilnius.
One of the new systems has already been installed at Palanga. The established no-fly zone includes adjacent inhabited areas as well as the airspace directly over Palanga Airport. This year, 37 unauthorised drone flights have already been recorded in the airport’s aircraft control area.
The system will notify airport, public safety and law enforcement authorities when an unauthorised drone flight takes place in the prohibited zone. Upon receipt of the notification from the system, Lithuania’s Public Security Service (VST) and local police immediately react to the violation. The Public Security Service’s Joint Operations Centre ensures coordinated action.
National operator, Lithuanian Airports, says the new system continuously monitors the airspace with the help of antennas and detects the scattering of radio signals. It is designed to determine the location, direction of movement, altitude, time and other identification parameters of the drone, as well as the geographical location of the drone operator. Response algorithms have been established in cooperation with the VST and local police. In order to ensure airspace safety and flight safety, decisions are made together with the air navigation services provider on the possible suspension of air traffic, and VST forces are sent to detect the violator. Penalties include fines and potential confiscation of the drone.
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Image: Palanga Airport / Lithuanian Airports