Core counter-UAS concepts

Plain-language definitions to help visitors read news and policy without vendor jargon.

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Detection

Finding and locating an unmanned aircraft (and often its control link or pilot) using RF, radar, electro-optical/IR, or acoustic sensors—alone or fused.

Classification & tracking

Deciding what the object is (drone vs bird vs aircraft) and following its path over time so operators can prioritize response.

Mitigation

Actions that reduce risk from an unauthorized drone. Legal authorities vary widely by country; many civil sites focus on detect-and-alert rather than kinetic effects.

C2 / command and control

The software and workflows that combine sensor feeds, alerts, maps, and operator actions into a single airspace security picture.