Keeping The Skies Safe With Vorpal and Anti Drone Technology
Day: June 28, 2019
Vorpal and Its Anti-Drone Technology Are Clearing the Airways
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there were over 1 million unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) registered as of 2018. Better known as drones, UAVs have strict areas where they may travel. But increasingly, whether intentionally or through ignorance, drones are finding their way into restricted areas. Because of this, many are seeking anti-drone technology to combat the problem. And Vorpal Ltd., an Israeli-based company, is providing effective solutions.
From airports to homeland security, drones have the potential to cause serious disruptions. While it may seem feasible that drones could be easily detected using standard radar techniques, that is not the case. In fact, anti-drone technology requires more complex insights and strategies. As this need grows and the threats become more serious, companies like Vorpal are striving to address these issues head-on.
Vorpal — A Unique Approach in Anti-Drone Technology
Vorpal was founded in 2009 as the prevalence of drones became increasingly evident. Interestingly, Vorpal’s expertise evolved out of military operations involving signal intelligence. Through advanced signal processing and analysis solutions, Vorpal developed an anti-drone technology based on radiofrequency geolocation strategies. Its VigilAir products are now recognized globally as a significant advancement in mitigating solutions.
Of course, Vorpal is not the only company involved in mitigating the undesirable effects of a rising drone population. Other players in the space include QinetiQ Group, Optix, and Chess Dynamics. However, different companies have pursued anti-drone technologies in different ways. Some have developed kinetic drone defenses, while others have focused on paralyzing drones through the use of jammer guns. However, it is notable that these approaches may be illegal in some instances and ineffective in others.
Vorpal’s strategy is unique. Its anti-drone technology identifies both the drone and drone operator through the use of its radiofrequency geolocation solutions. Once the identification is achieved, Vorpal’s system mimics the drone’s command and control operations. This detail allows a “soft” takeover of the drone, which can then be landed safely out of harm’s way. In this way, Vorpal avoids legal issues that support aircraft protection since the drone itself is not destroyed or damaged.
Challenges Facing Anti-Drone Technology Solutions
In recent months, several drone-related events have raised concern. One involved a collision between a drone and a Mexican aircraft. The other resulted in the delay and cancellation of several flights at Gatwick Airport in Britain. These events highlight the potential risks that drones pose to security protections. In addition to aviation structures, drones may be used to target critical infrastructures. Likewise, they may be used as a means of terrorism against groups of people or an individual. Vorpal has cited the importance and relevance of these threats frequently.
In this regard, anti-drone technologies face many difficulties when it comes to addressing these threats. First, drones are composed of plastics, carbon, and polymers—making them impossible to identify using traditional radar. Likewise, drones utilize different guidance systems, proving it to be challenging to design a single system that covers all drones. Some use radio links, while others may use Wi-Fi or autonomous GPS systems. Thus, multiple strategies are often required when implementing an effective anti-drone technology system.
The remaining challenges are policy-related in nature. While the Federal Communications Commission prohibits communication interference between drones and other aircraft, the FAA is different. Instead, the FAA tends to protect all types of aircraft, including drones. Therefore, some consider mitigation strategies that involve “taking out” a drone in prohibited airspace as illegal. Similarly, the use of broad or barrage jamming systems is naturally undesirable because of the adverse effects on normally operating aircraft. That is why Vorpal’s anti-drone technology is so appealing.
Vorpal — Partnering for Scalability and Societal Advancements
The anti-drone technology that Vorpal utilizes was developed through Israeli military research. Because of this fact, Israel limits the nations where this technology may be used or shared. In countries where sharing geolocation solutions are prohibited, Vorpal partners with other companies to bring forth anti-drone technology solutions. At the same time, Vorpal publishes several white papers advocating for positive change in the industry.
More recently, Vorpal has been exploring partnerships with AT&T as well as Microsoft’s Azure cloud solutions. Through the use of information technologies, Vorpal could implement low-latency responses to broader regions. Likewise, this case would facilitate greater computing scalability needed to regulate drone traffic more effectively. All these reflect the types of changes being pursued in order to keep pace with the rising security threats that drones pose.
Indeed, the bold moves that Vorpal and others are making in anti-drone technology solutions should be highly valued given today’s climate. Their inclusion in the Florida Israeli Business Accelerator (FIBA) program, is also helping to boost the companies fortunes.
SAP Infographic
SAP Technology and Enterprise Software Solutions: Success Built on Innovation
In the days of mainframe computing, punch cards, and COBOL programming, five entrepreneurial engineers had a vision. It was to create a standard application software that processes data in real-time. IBM engineers Dietmar Hopp, Hans-Werner Hector, Hasso Plattner, Klaus Tschira, and Claus Wellenreuther saw the potential of a technology that could change the way business was done. It’s been forty-seven years since its founding in 1972, and SAP SE, the leading enterprise software solutions company, is still burning bright today.
Currently serving 404,000 customers in 180 countries, the company is one of the world’s best brands. At the closing of Q1 2019, SAP’s revenue was at $6.8 billion – a 6.5% year-on-year growth. The total revenue of SAP reached a massive $24.7 billion in 2018. Its growing market reach and future technology innovations are undoubtedly the linchpins for success. Within the company, SAP stands strong with 96,000 employees and holds a reputation as one of the Best Places to Work.
SAP has a robust revenue growth, strong corporate culture, and the drive to continuously provide innovative enterprise software solutions. The company is no less than the leading enterprise resource planning software in the world today.
The Early Years: Building on Innovation
The founders of the business and the SAP technology were all born out of IBM’s AI Department. In 1971, five engineers took on the task to create business systems for a major client. Unfortunately, the project did not push through. However, they decided to develop the technology seeing how revolutionary the concept was. The group made a leap of faith, left IBM and started a company called SAP Systemanalyse und Programmentwicklung (System Analysis and Program Development).
SAP completed its first financial accounting system called RF, which serves as the foundation of subsequent SAP technology. SAP’s first commercial product called SAP R/1, was launched in 1973 and was used by a handful of early customers. Yet by the end of 1974, their customer base grew to 40 companies. As the team continuously incorporate additional applications, new versions of the SAP technology were introduced in the market in the coming years. From this point, the innovation that the SAP technology introduced spread like wildfire across businesses.
A year after its 20th anniversary, in 1993, the company began working with Microsoft on a project to anchor SAP technology with Windows NT operating system. On this same year, SAP began laying the groundwork for international expansion. A development center was installed near Silicon Valley in Foster City, California. The support for the Japanese market ushered in entry to the Asian market.
SAP Technology: Reaching Across Industries and Functions
The evolution of SAP technology has been meticulous and steady throughout the years. From SAP R/1 in 1973 to SAP R/3 in 1992 and SAP ERP Central Component (ECC) 5.0 in 2004, the world’s foremost enterprise software solutions company has therefore released the most recent enhancement in 2016– the SAP ERP 6.0. These enhancements were then deployed in order to deliver new functionalities and innovation for its core application without disrupting the business of its customers.
To date, SAP’s broad client base includes large corporations and small and medium-sized businesses. Similarly, SAP technology cuts across various functions including human resources, production, materials management, financials, controlling, sales and quality management. The estimate is that more than three-quarters of all global business transactions have come in contact with SAP technology. Such depth and breadth of reach were therefore made possible by the company’s growth strategy through acquisitions and a solid focus on developing innovations.
Onward and Forward With SAP’s Enterprise Software Solutions
SAP as an enterprise software solutions company is at the forefront of a new phase called Cloud Computing. SAP acquired a host of cloud-based companies such as SuccessFactors, Ariba, and Concur. In 2013, SAP launched a massive Cloud-based ERP service by deploying a network of seven data centers around the globe.
Besides cloud-based platforms and applications, the company launched SAP Leonardo – a set of software and services focused on new technology such as the Internet of Things (IOT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Analytics, and Blockchain. SAP is also looking at improving user experience and user interface through a collection of SAP Apps called SAP Fiori. From on-premise enterprise software solutions, the company is gearing up to diversify its SAP technology offerings.
From its humble beginnings in Weinheim, Germany to a billion dollar venture with a prominent presence in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, North America, and South America, SAP technology has transformed how businesses do business. And it will continue to do so as SAP relentlessly work in bringing more computing innovations to the fore.
For more on SAP CEO Bill McDermott, check out this week’s Bold Leader Spotlight.
