Drone Development to Deter Birds from Airforce Airspace

This case study details the development of a drone by Detroit Engineered Products (DEP) aimed at deterring birds from manned aircraft to prevent collisions. The drone, named Garuda, was designed to meet specific requirements including an inflight time of up to 60 minutes, an altitude of 1 kilometer, and a range of 10 kilometers. The challenge arose from the need to protect valuable assets of the air force from local natural threats, specifically birds that could interfere with flight paths. DEP's engineering team designed the drone's airframe, deterrence methods, and various systems including radio control, autopilot, and cameras. Key features include an audible sound generator that plays predator bird sounds and a visible paint scheme resembling a predatory bird. The autopilot system is equipped with multiple sensors for navigation and control. The project culminated in a functioning prototype that meets the outlined specifications, with plans for further enhancements.