Drone detector DroneShield has sold its first anti-drone radar system, DroneSentinal, in the wake of several drone-related aircraft accidents in North America.

Authorities believe a helicopter crash landing in the US State of South Carolina last month may have been caused by a drone — which would make it the first drone-related crash of an aircraft in the US.

A student helicopter pilot and instructor crashed while swerving to avoid a consumer drone, reports said.

In a separate incident, US authorities last month started an investigation into a report that a drone struck a tour helicopter in Kauai, Hawaii.

And Canadian authorities confirmed last month that a drone collided with a charter plane in Quebec last year.

The incidents are frightening news for aircraft passengers — but represent a growing market for drone security technology says DroneShield chief Oleg Vornik.

DroneShield shares (ASX:DRO) gained 4 per cent to 25.5c in Monday morning trade.

A consumer drone similar to this model is believed to be the cause of a helicopter crash in South Carolina.
A consumer drone similar to this model is believed to be the cause of a helicopter crash in South Carolina.

“Governmental end-users, both military and civil, throughout Europe, are currently largely helpless against the threat of intentional or unintentional drone misuse,” Mr Vornik says.

“As the density of the drone ‘population’ has increased dramatically, the frequency and the severity of incidents have gone up. As a result, governmental end-users have now recognised the need to have tools at their disposal to detect and mitigate drones.”

DroneSentinel is a modular drone detection system that incorporates radar, radio-frequency, and thermal and optical camera sensors, as well as the patented acoustic detection technology that is at the genesis of DroneShield.

DroneShield (DRO) shares over the past three months.
DroneShield (DRO) shares over the past three months.

The newly ordered system — worth $210,000 — will be used as a demonstration in the Netherlands where the NATO Joint Force Headquarters is based.

Droneshield says it has interest from a number of domestic Dutch and international prospects – following its recognition by NATO last month.

In the last year, the company recorded revenue of $310,724 and a $5.47 million loss.

Fellow ASX-listed drone tech Department 13 was today in suspension pending an announcement.

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