Sensor and machine learning based drone detection early warning system
Use cases: Tracking illegal drones and activity around a secure site.
This proposal delivers a deployable, low-collateral capability that extends situational awareness into the low-altitude airspace surrounding prisons and other sensitive sites. The system detects and tracks small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) operating near site perimeters and presents time-critical, actionable information to authorised personnel. The capability enables proportionate, human-led intervention designed to disrupt or deter hostile UAS activity within existing legal powers and procedures. It essentially gives the operator or security detail time to defeat the aircraft through kinetic or electronic means if so required.
The approach integrates purpose-placed optical sensing with depth perception and edge-based processing to detect airborne movement, assess flight behaviour and constrain probable operator control areas. Outputs are presented as event-driven alerts, reducing reliance on continuous manual monitoring and supporting timely operational decision-making.
Phase 1 will demonstrate the capability in a representative operational environment, achieving TRL 7 through deployment and evaluation of a deployable sensing unit. The architecture is intentionally modular, allowing additional sensing modalities to be evaluated in later phases Phase 1 will demonstrate the capability in a representative operational environment, achieving TRL 7 through deployment and evaluation of a single deployable sensing unit. The architecture is intentionally modular, allowing additional sensing modalities to be evaluated in later phases.
This proposal addresses a clearly identified operational gap: the absence of practical, low-collateral tools for managing hostile UAS activity in custodial and sensitive environments. Government reporting and independent scrutiny have highlighted increasing drone misuse around prisons and sensitive sites, while legal and safety constraints limit the use of kinetic or electronic countermeasures in populated settings.
About Southcode Engineering
Southcode Engineering is a UK-based engineering consultancy that provides custom software development and expert services for complex systems. The company specializes in addressing real-time coordination challenges by operating at the intersection of software, hardware, and operational environments. Their core objective is to assist organizations in enhancing the reliability, clarity, and deployability of complex technical systems. Founded in 2026, the firm operates as a private limited company and maintains a focus on technical consulting activities within the engineering sector.
This expertise is particularly relevant for defense and security clients, as demonstrated by the company's approved supplier status on the UK Ministry of Defence and DSTL R-Cloud framework. By supporting research and development, rapid prototyping, and solution delivery, Southcode Engineering provides partners with critical technical support for innovation projects. Their engagement with these government-backed frameworks allows them to apply their systems engineering capabilities to address national security challenges and other highly specialized operational requirements.
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