38th CEIG hosts airspace security drone demonstration

Photo By Ron Mullan | A technician with Fortem Technologies secures an X-3 Hunter Drone following a demonstration at the 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group Aug. 28. Representatives from Security Forces, Airfield Management, Base Safety, Air Logistics Complex and members of the Tinker flying community were on hand to watch the demonstration. The X-3 is used primarily in airspace security and captures unauthorized drones in flight by ensnaring them in a net. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ron Mullan)  

TINKER AFB, OK, UNITED STATES

08.28.2019

Story by Ron Mullan 

72nd Air Base Wing

A small drone is flying over a military installation, when suddenly, like a bird of prey, an X-3 Drone Hunter swoops down and shoots a net at the drone, ensnaring it in the webbing and carries it back to the controller on the ground. Sound like a scene out of the latest spy thriller movie?
No.
It was part of a demonstration of drone technology for airspace security and heavy-lift operations for representatives from Security Forces, Airfield Management, Base Safety, Air Logistics Complex and members of the Tinker flying community, hosted by the 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group Aug. 28.
Thanh Alcorn, a civil engineer with the 38th CEIG, explained how it all came about.
“I am currently working with the 72nd Security Forces Squadron on new gate construction for the Hope Gate at the 38th CEIG and in that capacity, I attended a security symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada, where there were presentations on various types of drones used for heavy-lift and airspace security,” said Alcorn.
The demonstrations piqued his interest in showing this technology to Tinker organizations.
“The purpose in having this type of demonstration is to provide education and awareness of the various types of capability offered by drone technology,” said Alcorn.
In addition to the airspace security drone, a demonstration of heavy-lift capability by X-Fold Corporation was also scheduled, but due to technical difficulties in delivering the drone to Tinker, the demo didn’t take place.
Alcorn described some of the characteristics of a heavy-lift drone.
“The heavy-lift drone can lift around 200 pounds, but when four heavy-lift drones are synchronized, they could lift up to a ton of equipment,” Alcorn said. “I could see a lot of benefits to Air Force Materiel Command and Tinker.
Drone technology could provide a faster and safer way to move large-sized parts and engines around the base.”

• Date Taken: 08.28.2019
• Date Posted: 01.02.2020 16:07
• Story ID: 357801
• Location: TINKER AFB, OK, US