UAV Containment Systems for Air Force Installations

Air Force installations continue to evaluate UAV containment systems designed to support drone testing, pilot training, autonomous flight development, and operational flexibility.
Engineered UAV containment systems for Air Force applications may support:

• Drone pilot training
  
• UAV testing programs
  
• Autonomous drone development
  
• Controlled flight operations
  
• Secure containment environments
  
• Tactical UAV programs
  

Outdoor drone netting systems intended for Air Force installations often require:

• Wind load engineering
  
• Large-span containment capability
  
• Long-term outdoor durability
  
• PE stamped structural drawings
  
• Cable-supported layouts
  
• Scalable deployment capability
  

Midwest Netting Solutions designs UAV containment systems intended to support demanding operational environments and long-term containment performance for military applications nationwide.

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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the physical containment enclosures?

• For drone testing, R&D, and pilot training, the Air Force utilizes ruggedized cage and net systems.
  
• Structural Framing: Heavy-duty structural steel frameworks rather than light commercial poles, designed to withstand impact loads from larger tactical UAVs.
  
• High-Impact Netting: Constructed from materials like 100% virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or high-tensile wire mesh to safely arrest runaway drones without causing shrapnel. 
  
• Hardened Structures: Modular, overhead-cover sunshade systems are also integrated into base infrastructure to protect parked aircraft (such as F-22s or F-16s) from loitering or swarm threats.
  

How do counter-UAS (C-UAS) systems work?

​Air Force bases require multi-layered defensive shields to mitigate unauthorized surveillance, payload deployment, and airspace incursions.

• Detection: Passive, low-signature sensors (like the Army's ALPS) and 3D radar systems (e.g., Cyrentis CR) detect sUAS by their acoustic signature, radio frequency (RF) signals, or thermal footprint. 
  
• Mitigation (Electronic): Systems like EnforceAir2 or DroneCannon utilize directional RF jamming to disrupt the drone's GNSS navigation or control signals. Advanced systems can perform non-disruptive cyber-takeovers, forcing the drone to land safely in a predetermined area. 
  
• Mitigation (Kinetic): For higher-threat scenarios, installations are outfitted with directed-energy weapons (lasers/microwaves) to disable electronics, alongside active tracking systems (e.g., Lockheed Martin’s Sanctum) to manage coordinated swarms.
  

How do integrated command and control systems work?

​Air Force installations integrate these containment and counter-drone measures into a unified defensive grid.

• Systems such as SUADS (Small Unmanned Aircraft Defense System) and the MEDUSA system combine data from radar and sensors to automate lockdown procedures and provide security forces with real-time tracking.