Pleasant Grove, Utah — Addressing Drone Concerns with Advanced Technology
As worries about drones hover over various areas in the U.S., there is some comfort in knowing that companies are developing technology to tackle these issues. One such company is Fortem Technologies, based in Pleasant Grove, where a team is committed to creating systems to counteract drone threats.
"Initially, we focused on designing miniaturized radar systems," said Adam Robertson, Fortem’s Chief Technology Officer. "This advanced radar is fitted on drones to track and identify other drones." Robertson co-founded Fortem over eight years ago in Utah County, and the company has made significant strides since then.
"We needed a drone that was fast and agile," he explained. While others were already building drones, Robertson’s team took on the challenge and eventually developed the Drone Hunter F700—a highly maneuverable drone designed specifically for this purpose.
Fortem’s technology is produced right in Pleasant Grove and is shipped globally. Robertson shared, "We’ve distributed our systems to several countries, including Japan and Ukraine. Our products also operate effectively in various climates, from hot deserts to frigid areas."
Recently, Fortem provided insight into their operations, showcasing their state-of-the-art technologies while maintaining confidentiality about certain sensitive materials. One of their products can detect small drones, such as those available in stores, from a distance of about 2.5 kilometers, well beyond the range of human eyesight. "First, we need to spot a potential threat, track it, and recognize it as a danger before we take measures to neutralize it," Robertson explained.
Their defense technology includes a netgun that can capture rogue drones safely. "It fires four metal projectiles to deploy a large net about 3 meters by 3 meters, effectively trapping the drone," he noted, comparing it to a tactic a superhero might use.
When asked about Fortem’s involvement in ongoing operations, particularly on the East Coast, Robertson remained tight-lipped. "As a security-focused company, we operate with a level of discretion," he stated. "There are many aspects we wish we could reveal, but confidentiality is crucial in our industry."
In an era where drone sightings are increasing, advancements in drone detection and neutralization technology, like those developed by Fortem, are becoming essential.
