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Gatwick drones: December sightings were in critical areas | Gatwick drones: December sightings were in critical areas |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Some of the sightings of drones at Gatwick Airport before Christmas were in, or close to, takeoff and landing zones, the BBC understands. | Some of the sightings of drones at Gatwick Airport before Christmas were in, or close to, takeoff and landing zones, the BBC understands. |
Their appearance in critical areas underlines the threat to aircraft. | Their appearance in critical areas underlines the threat to aircraft. |
The incident caused severe disruption for two days, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded. | The incident caused severe disruption for two days, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded. |
Although no shots were fired at drones during the incident, Whitehall sources say armed police were ready to attempt to shoot the drone, or drones down. | Although no shots were fired at drones during the incident, Whitehall sources say armed police were ready to attempt to shoot the drone, or drones down. |
On Tuesday departures at Heathrow were temporarily stopped after a drone was reported to have been sighted. | On Tuesday departures at Heathrow were temporarily stopped after a drone was reported to have been sighted. |
Even before the incident at Gatwick, Heathrow Airport was trialling anti-drone systems, used to both detect drones and potentially take them down mid-flight. | |
The suspension of departures on Tuesday evening highlights how a determined criminal can still breach an airport's perimeter with a drone, even if there is advanced technology in place. | The suspension of departures on Tuesday evening highlights how a determined criminal can still breach an airport's perimeter with a drone, even if there is advanced technology in place. |
The Government is now considering implementing military-grade anti-drone equipment at all major UK airports, as well as other critical infrastructure such as power stations and prisons. | The Government is now considering implementing military-grade anti-drone equipment at all major UK airports, as well as other critical infrastructure such as power stations and prisons. |
Some drones can travel at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, so hitting them mid-flight is hard and potentially risky in a built-up area like an airport. | Some drones can travel at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, so hitting them mid-flight is hard and potentially risky in a built-up area like an airport. |
On Thursday, the Aviation Minister, Baroness Sugg met UK airport bosses to discuss the technology already in use and how airports can beef up their defences. | On Thursday, the Aviation Minister, Baroness Sugg met UK airport bosses to discuss the technology already in use and how airports can beef up their defences. |
Extra equipment has been installed at Heathrow since Tuesday's sightings. | Extra equipment has been installed at Heathrow since Tuesday's sightings. |
Earlier, the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told MPs that foreign airports had contacted his department to learn lessons in the wake of the chaos caused at Gatwick. | Earlier, the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told MPs that foreign airports had contacted his department to learn lessons in the wake of the chaos caused at Gatwick. |
The BBC understands that discussions have been held with major American airports, such as New York's JFK and Dulles in Washington, as well as other major European airports. | The BBC understands that discussions have been held with major American airports, such as New York's JFK and Dulles in Washington, as well as other major European airports. |
No credible arrests have been made in relation to the drone sightings at either London airport. | No credible arrests have been made in relation to the drone sightings at either London airport. |
The police are understood to have photos of the drone or drones used at Gatwick. | The police are understood to have photos of the drone or drones used at Gatwick. |
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