Assessing Laser Dazzling Effects on UAV Cameras and Collision Avoidance in Laboratory and Field Settings

We present first results from a study on the feasibility and impact of laser dazzling on drones, covering both laboratory and field tests. The research focused on the effects of laser dazzling on drone cameras and collision avoidance systems across various scenarios, including surveillance, attacks, and obstacle avoidance maneuvers with commercially available drones. These scenarios were tested in field studies using a green laser mounted on either a hand-held weapon frame or a manually tracked tripod equipped with a camera. This study highlights the potential vulnerabilities of UAVs to laser dazzling and aims to improve understanding of effective defense mechanisms in drone security.