Aartos Drone Defense Secures Europe’s Largest Air Show
Europe’s largest air show returned to Zeltweg in 2024, drawing 206 aircraft from more than 20 nations. Forty of those belonged to the Austrian Armed Forces, while 37 came from the Flying Bulls. With 250,000 visitors on site, the event demanded stringent safety measures, particularly against unauthorized drone activity that could threaten both spectators and performers.
The Austrian Armed Forces deployed their “Electronic Warfare for Drone Defense” (ELDRO) unit, a specialist team tasked with countering illegal drones. Since 2018, ELDRO has relied on the Aartos DDS sensor system, developed by Aaronia, for this mission. Aaronia’s recent press release emphasized the continuity of this partnership: “After the successful cooperation at ‘Airpower 2022’, it was obvious that the Austrian Armed Forces would once again rely on the experts from Aaronia to support them in the task of protecting the event from drones.”
For Airpower 2024, Aaronia Austria supplied a mast system integrating sensor, radar, and camera technology. This setup was merged with the existing infrastructure to create a robust detection network. The company highlighted Aartos’ modular architecture, which allowed seamless integration of diverse components into a unified system.
A major enhancement this year was the deployment of a fully automatic 28-meter mast equipped with an Aartos X9 high-performance RF sensor. According to Aaronia, “The system not only takes the existing monitoring of the entire spectrum to a new level, it also significantly simplifies handling once again.” The X9’s capabilities extended beyond traditional monitoring, offering faster setup and more intuitive operation.
Stephan Kraschansky, CEO of Aaronia Austria, underscored the system’s adaptability: “An air show like ‘Airpower 2024’, with its very challenging topographical conditions, is an event where our mobile Aartos solution can really come into its own. Our system is ready for use in just a few minutes. Thanks to the RTSA Suite Pro software, the command center enables seamless 360-degree surveillance, far beyond the defined no-fly zone. It detects more than 99 percent of all commercial drones, even if they are pre-programmed.”
The RTSA Suite Pro software plays a critical role in this capability. By processing real-time spectrum analysis data, it enables operators to track drones across complex airspace environments. The system’s detection range extends well beyond the immediate venue, offering early warning and response opportunities.
Operational results during the show were notable. Following extensive public awareness from previous deployments at the Formula 1 Grand Prix Austria and MotoGP, there were no drone incursions during the event itself. Only on the eve of Airpower were a handful of unauthorized drones detected, all intercepted before they could pose a threat. The system’s precision geolocation feature—accurate to within five meters—allowed military police to locate and approach operators swiftly.
This combination of RF sensing, radar imaging, and optical confirmation forms a layered defense strategy. RF sensors identify the control signals of drones, radar tracks their movement through the airspace, and cameras provide visual verification. Such multi-modal detection is essential for countering drones that may attempt to evade a single detection method.
The topography of Zeltweg, with its surrounding mountains and variable wind conditions, presents unique challenges for aerial surveillance. Mobile mast systems like the 28-meter Aartos installation offer the flexibility to position sensors optimally, ensuring unobstructed coverage. Rapid deployment capability is particularly valuable for temporary events where infrastructure must be assembled and dismantled within tight schedules.
For large-scale public gatherings involving complex aerial displays, the integration of advanced drone defense technologies is becoming a standard operational requirement. Systems like Aartos DDS demonstrate how modular design, high-performance RF sensing, and real-time analytics can be combined to deliver effective protection without impeding the spectacle of the event.
