To Improve Drone Security

The Agency for Defense Development plans to develop a blockchain-based drone control system in preparation for an attack from enemy forces or hackers against military drones. The picture shows the Korean Army’s dronebot combat team.

The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) plans to improve the security of military drones by developing a blockchain-based drone control system.

In recent years, drones have been increasingly used in the military, which increases potential security problems.

The Agency for Defense Development said on Jan. 2 that it will develop a system for GPS deception detection and blockchain-drone linkage simulation and control.

GPS deception (spoofing) is a method of transmitting false GPS signals, which are stronger than the actual signals, to deceive the opponent. A drone is a radio-controlled flying vehicle, which receives GPS information from satellites to fly.

GPS signal receivers mounted on drones are easily affected by external signal disturbances or deception. Although drones are widely used in defense, distribution, and media, big problems could arise if they are sent to another location or used for wrong purposes by a hacker who sends fake data.

At present, the Korean Army is pushing hard to prepare for future battles by establishing the "dronebot combat team" and introducing more drones. The dronebot combat team, composed of about 80 members, uses reconnaissance drones, armed drones, electronic battle drones, reconnaissance and multi-purpose robots for efficient performance in future battles.

In October of last year, the unit started out with 10 drones and bought additional 18 small drones. However, if the drones used in the military are exploited through hacking of enemy forces and terrorist forces, it can cause nationwide disasters.

The Ministry of National Defense aims to control drones only with the route information received through the blockchain network linked with the drone controlling computer.

Meanwhile, the ministry plans to use drones to supply food, medicine, ammunition, and other military materials to troops in remote areas, such as the Army GOP (general outpost) divisions, air defense and control units of the Air Force, and troops of the Navy and Marine Corps stationed on islands.

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