The Use of Terahertz Technology in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Guest author: Salih Ergün

| Part 5

In counter-terrorism, the data that UAVs transmit to decision-makers is becoming increasingly important, both in gathering intelligence and in assessing intelligence to identify potential targets.

Thanks to the ability to see behind cover offered by THz imaging technology, it may become possible to prevent terrorists from hiding weapons, explosives and similar materials until the very moment of an attack.

This capability becomes even more important when one considers that early detection of concealed materials to be used in terrorist attacks will save time for taking preventive measures.

Using THz imaging technology as a payload on UAVs will be useful in providing the key inputs for identifying a threat. Concretely imaging weapons, explosives and similar materials and turning them into evidence, a critical step in converting intelligence from various sources into target criteria, will also enable decision-makers to develop courses of action and intervene more effectively.

A model of the “target detection–identification–response” process using a terahertz imaging system on UAVs is presented in the figure.

Here, first, a “threat” is detected by various means or by a UAV carrying a THz imaging system as payload. In the second stage, THz imaging is used to check whether the detected threat meets the necessary target criteria. This is where the benefits of THz imaging technology become apparent. This capability makes it possible to detect and identify the presence of harmful materials.

In the third stage, the decision-makers who carry out the assessment can examine the data provided by the UAV through THz imaging and develop the necessary courses of action. These courses of action are important because they are formed within the limits of authority in the light of the information the data provides and serve as the basis for evidence. In the fourth stage, a “response” is applied as a result of the assessors’ decision.

Whatever the type of response, its effect on the target must be assessed. In the fifth stage, therefore, the UAV tracking the target images it again and provides decision-makers with information for assessing the damage caused by the response. In the sixth and final stage, based on the need identified in this assessment, the decision-making process is run again until the desired end state is reached.

The threat here may be terrorist elements carrying weapons and explosives, or vehicles loaded with munitions of the kind we have often seen in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The threat stands for people or any means that can be used for a terrorist attack, such as a vehicle carrying harmful material or a terrorist. In this model, UAV(+THz) denotes unmanned aerial vehicles with THz imaging capability.

Various devices that perform THz imaging have been developed today, but no case of their use as a payload on a UAV has been found. There are examples mounted on vehicles by private companies.[i] Mini-UAVs or mini unmanned helicopters in particular could be used effectively to prevent terrorist attacks.

[i] LIBS-THz sensor system for improvised explosive devices (IED) detection; http://www.i-a-i.com/view.asp?aid=359; accessed 10.10.2013