【By Zhang Jingjuan, Observer News】Crossing through ancient towers to "shoot down" drones, losing control and leaving bloodstains on the face, "teleporting" onto runways to threaten aircraft takeoffs and landings... These thrilling scenes are not from a movie, but real "black flying" and "unregulated flying" threats that have occurred in China over the past year.
The "China Low-Altitude Economic Development Index Report (2025)" shows that by the end of 2024, consumer-grade drones accounted for more than 70% of the global market share in China. As the core engine of the low-altitude economy, drones are rapidly entering the homes of ordinary people. Rescue, aerial photography, logistics, mapping, agricultural protection... Their reach is everywhere. With the development and integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones are redefining the boundaries of possibility.
However, unauthorized and illegal flights are like the "Sword of Damocles" hanging over the feast of the low-altitude economy.
How to build a solid protective net for this promising new blue ocean? Observer News found the answer at the first International Low-Altitude Economy Expo.
Those once little-known "anti-drone equipment" and "anti-drone vehicles" now occupy central positions on multiple exhibition stands, seemingly declaring that the vigorous development of the low-altitude economy must be closely tied to the simultaneous evolution of security capabilities.
Who are these guardians of the sky? How do they ensure our low-altitude safety?
The 2025 International Low-Altitude Economy Expo was held at the National Convention and Exhibition Center (Shanghai). IC photo
"Low-Altitude Shield" of the Ordnance Industry
When "black flying" drones invade the low-altitude security like summer mosquitoes, the Xi'an Institute of Applied Optics under the China Ordnance Industry Group has launched an efficient mobile anti-drone solution integrating various advanced technologies and equipment. It integrates a comprehensive defense system for low-altitude flying devices into a command vehicle, which is like a mobile "low-altitude mosquito trap." Its modest color and powerful performance attracted many visitors to stop and watch.
Meng Haijiang, Sales Director of the Xi'an Institute of Applied Optics, told Observer News that the system realizes a full-process closed-loop defense of detection, positioning, identification, and countermeasures, with a high identification rate of more than 90%, a wide defense range of 5-10 kilometers, and a rapid response time of less than 3 seconds.
This is thanks to the "anti-drone set" installed on the roof: navigation deception equipment (capable of deceiving drones within a range of 3-8 kilometers, blocking the video transmission link and communication link between the drone's remote controller and the aircraft); optical-electronic identification and tracking equipment (capable of identifying, detecting, and confirming drones using optical means); radar detection equipment (capable of simultaneously detecting drones coming from any direction in the air); and radio frequency detection equipment (capable of achieving radio frequency detection of no less than 5 kilometers).
Once the drone signal is detected, the unified data processing system will perform data fusion and intelligent analysis of the collected information. On the command and control interface of the control center, all information about the drones in the monitored airspace, including their model, threat level, latitude and longitude, and flight speed, is clearly displayed.
Mobile Low-Altitude Flying Device Comprehensive Defense System, Observer News
"For 'black flying' drones, we have several disposal methods, including deception, interference, and joint handling. Operators can directly process them by pressing buttons," said Meng Haijiang.
For example, if a drone enters a petrochemical park, once the interference device is activated, the drone either "stops in place" (hovers in the air) or "goes home" (drones with automatic return-to-home functions will autonomously return to the takeoff point). After ensuring the drone lands safely, the drone operator will also receive safety education. After all, places like petrochemical parks, which are "flammable and explosive," cannot afford the trouble of drones "crashing".
Whether it is to protect airport clear zones, major event security, critical infrastructure, or ground defense, this mobile shield can be quickly deployed to build a solid low-altitude defense line.
Meng Haijiang stated that currently, China is vigorously developing the low-altitude economy while promoting the strategy of military-civilian integration. In response to the national call, China Ordnance has applied some military technology to civilian use, helping the low-altitude economy develop safely, efficiently, and high-quality.
So, facing more flexible and cunning "black flying" targets, is there a more "surgical" precision strike plan?
"Using Drones to Control Drones" by China Communications Remote Sensing
If the "shield" of the Ordnance Industry is a defensive approach, then the solution brought by China Communications Remote Sensing is more like an "airborne catcher" who is skilled in capture. The star product of their booth, the FPV X8 Net Drone, provides a completely different countermeasure idea - "capturing alive."
FPV X8 Net Drone, Observer News
"This is a real aircraft we are using. It can shoot out a large net measuring 3 meters by 3 meters, capturing drones like fishing," said Zhao Wenduo of China Communications Remote Sensing to Observer News. It is equivalent to an FPV racing drone, with a net-catching launcher installed inside, which can shoot down black flying FPV racing drones while maintaining flight speed.
Its 8-hammer net has an effective range of 10 meters and a launch distance of more than 20 meters. Not only can it handle airborne drones, but it can also catch and intercept ground terrorists and wild animals.
Different from "anti-drone vehicles", the FPV X8 Net Drone belongs to "physical damage". It is specifically developed for anti-terrorism and bomb prevention, with a fast flight speed (maximum flight speed of 140 km/h), strong maneuverability (0-100 km/h acceleration)
Currently, this "airborne catcher" is already on duty in airports, police departments, armed police, military, oil depots, power stations, and other locations.
Even though the "sky net" is vast, if the threat is imminent, what should be done if a more rapid and covert "individual" counterattack is needed?
"Future Air Gun" by Shanghai Tejin
In the exhibition hall of Shanghai Tejin Wireless Technology Co., Ltd., a large "air gun" with a futuristic feel gives the answer. When security personnel or law enforcement need to respond quickly to "black flying" threats, this easy-to-operate, quick-response, and portable equipment is undoubtedly a "sharp blade" for safeguarding low-altitude security.
Shanghai Tejin Technical Support Manager Wu Wenhao holding H2D, Observer News
Shanghai Tejin Technical Support Manager Wu Wenhao introduced that this handheld device H2D innovatively integrates "reconnaissance, attack, and deception" functions. Through spectrum perception, radio frequency interference, and navigation signal deception technologies, it achieves drone detection warning, identity recognition, target direction finding, location acquisition, and interference handling.
"H2D has several function keys, including forced landing and driving away. When security personnel activate the driving away key, the drone will be interfered with and return to its takeoff point," Wu Wenhao emphasized. This product can effectively detect and locate drones beyond visual range. Users can press the trigger of the device towards the direction where the target drone is located to achieve the disposal of the target.
In addition, this drone detection and countermeasure device is designed with removable batteries, making it convenient for long-term operations in outdoor scenarios such as large events security.
Last week (July 18th), during the 17th round of the Chinese Super League match between Changchun Yatai and Shanghai SIPG, Tejin's drone countermeasure device became popular. At that time, a drone suddenly flew into the field, interfering with the normal course of the game. The Changchun Special Police immediately took out the H1D drone detection and countermeasure device, directly driving away the unwanted guest and ensuring the normal order of the stadium and the safety of the players and spectators in a very short time.
Video screenshot
The collective appearance of "anti-drone equipment" and "anti-drone vehicles" at the first International Low-Altitude Economy Expo is no coincidence. It is an inevitable response to the booming demand for safety under the rapid development of the low-altitude economy.
From the mobile low-altitude flying device comprehensive defense system of China Ordnance Industry Group, to the FPV X8 net drone of China Communications Remote Sensing, and the H2D handheld drone reconnaissance and countermeasure device of Shanghai Tejin, as well as other products on the exhibition, each one demonstrates China's strong independent research and development capabilities, flexible and innovative technical paths, and manufacturing strength to meet diverse scenario needs in the field of low-altitude security.
Behind this are enterprises' continuous investment and long-term efforts in core technologies, the coordinated cooperation of the entire industry chain, and the country's high attention to the low-altitude economy.
The blueprint of the low-altitude economy is indeed tempting: "flying" travel, express delivery to the window... But to make this blueprint safe, we need more than just flying devices; we also need the "rules" and "swords" that guard this sky. Facing the vast sea of stars of the low-altitude economy, China's "sky guards" are doing their part to protect the trillion-yuan industry.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7531353736636121663/
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