How To Shoot Down a Drone

gurps_npc writes: Popular Mechanics has a nice article about how to shoot down a non-military drone. Interestingly enough, a Super Soaker will do the job while a standard paint gun does nothing. It doesn't take much energy as long as it is concentrated. A BB gun can do it as well — if you can hit the the target. "Other good non-gun options include pretty much any other solid-projectile slinger. Slingshots will likely work—again, assuming you can hit." They add, "Last but not least, you never want to underestimate the power of just throwing crap. A rock, a baseball, anything you can fling straight, accurate, and fast. All it takes to down a drone is a bent propeller or enough of a jolt to flip it."

Comments

Silly string

[wierd_w]

If it comes too close, a can of silly string would gum up the propellers quite nicely, even on large drones.

Water cannon is cheaper though.

Garden hose

[Fencepost]

Seems to me that a garden hose with a good high-quality nozzle may be your best bet. No questions about how close it is, no questions about using something dangerous, etc.

You still have the legal liability question, but I think the first thing to do on that if someone were to challenge you would be to subpoena any and all video, photo and GPS logs created by the person suing. Possibly (assuming you have a lawyer involved to write this up) with some sort of motion to compel or attempt to seize computers, smartphones, tablets, etc. along with flash cards, etc. to ensure that responsive materials weren't destroyed.

Of course, you might also look into the options of very low-powered (to avoid widespread damage, for safety, and for size) HERF guns. "Really, it just fell out of the sky! What the hell was the pilot doing dropping that thing on us? He could have hurt someone!"

Ain't it bizarre?

[StevenMaurer]

We're talking a cool technology here (though not quite as new as many think - I remember cameras being put on model rockets in the 1970s), and all slashdot talks about is how to treat them like skeets. "Hurr durr. I'mma gon' shoot it down with my slingshot. No Clem! Use a waterhose, or maybe toss a polecat at it or somethin'."

When did Slashdot become a luddite website?

Re: Japan does it right

[KGIII]

I said it in a prior post. I will absolutely shoot one down over my property - and I will get away with it - I may get a fine but I will contest even that because I have enough money to do so. Privacy is important to me.

On the other hand, if you bring your toy and ask? I will probably try to help make your visit an enjoyable one. I will bring you a beverage and a snack - and play with your toy if you let me. You may even convince me to buy a toy too.

I'd even let someone make a track, even cutting down trees, if they wanted to. I need them to do one thing, I need them to get permission. I will grant it except in very rare circumstances that I can only imagine and are very unlikely to be true.

I do not have a super soaker. I do have a shotgun. I am not going to pick up a rock and throw it - I am going to use my shotgun to throw smaller rocks at it more rapidly and more accurately. More likely I will not even notice...