The rapid advancement of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has significantly transformed the security landscape, leading to exponential growth in its applications. However, this progress also introduces new threats, particularly the increasing risk of UAV-based attacks, as observed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict with kamikaze drones and loitering munitions. The proliferation of UAV technology, including its accessibility to non-state actors such as terrorist organizations, further exacerbates security concerns.
While current conflicts primarily involve conventional munitions, the potential misuse of UAVs for dispersing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents presents an alarming threat. Beyond highly toxic CBRN agents with devastating effects, even less lethal but still hazardous substances, such as industrial chemicals, could be deployed via UAVs. A particular risk arises from the repurposing of agricultural drones, originally designed for the dispersal of fertilizers and pesticides, which can be easily modified to deliver chemical or biological agents over large areas.
To address these threats, this project focuses on developing predictive models for UAV-based dispersal of hazardous substances. These models are essential for early threat detection, enabling timely response measures to protect both emergency responders and civilians.
The project aims to:
a.) Model the spread of contamination and determine key dispersal parameters.
b.) Integrate predictive models into information systems and validate them through controlled experiments.
By advancing predictive modeling and integrating it into operational systems, this research contributes to enhancing resilience against emerging UAV-based threats.
Project manager
DI (FH) Christoph Sulzbachner, MSc. PMP
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH/ Center for Vision, Automation & Control
Partners
Bgdr Mag. Rudolf ZAUNER, MSS
Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung
Contact
DI (FH) Christoph Sulzbachner, MSc. PMP
Giefinggasse 4, 1210 Wien
+43 664 8251342
Christoph.Sulzbachner(at)ait.ac.at
https://www.ait.ac.at/
