Could This Spell The End Of Drones As Weapons?

Security experts and engineers have been showing off the latest technology at this year's Security and Counter-Terrorism Expo.

The event, at London's Olympia, brought together people from around the world to demonstrate what is on offer to defence forces tackling threats from cyber terrorism to drone misuse.

Timothy Bean, from Fortem Technologies, explains how the device his company has brought to the event could effectively capture a drone.

"When something is seen in the airspace, the DroneHunter will autonomously take off without a human pilot.

"It will then lock onto that drone with its radar and will dogfight the drone and chase it."

Mr Bean then explains that a net will come out of the DroneHunter at 80mph and capture the enemy drone in it's netting - then it will tow it away to a safe location.

Airborne devices like the drones that brought Gatwick to a standstill in December can be used as a modern menace, but some could be used as a potential weapon.

Many of the companies at the event have come up with different ways of stopping them.

The exhibition further looks at current and future threats we face, from vehicle improvised explosive devices, artificial intelligence and cyber terrorism as well as the threat of drones.

Many of the technologies on show at the exhibition could be used in the Armed Forces - including the latest Harris T7 Robot which is part of a £55million investment by the Ministry of Defence.

It's expected the Harris T7 Robot will be fully delivered to EOD teams next year.

Michael Collarbone, a Consultant at Harris Corp, explained how the robot operates: 

"It's designed for contingency so out of aerial operations.

"It's got a system called Haptic Force Feedback which allows the number two to get real-time feedback of what the griper is doing at the front of the robot."

The event also featured portable x-ray machines and operational cameras.

But there was also technologies adapted to prevent threats - whilst also looking at what motivates those responsible.

Among those talking included members from the police, Europol, the FBI and Nato.

Detective Chief Superintendent Nik Adams, part of the National Counter-Terrorism Police, was amongst those at the event.

Detected Adams spoke at the event: "For me, the real power of prevention is working out what people are falling in, in the first place and understand, remove or reduce their motivation."

More than 350 companies are taking part in the exhibition to demonstrate their kit to 10,000 people over two days.