Researchers at Texas tech University in the US has managed to make a device that allows you to intercept the control of unmanned aerial vehicles. The worst thing is that this device was made from components that can be bought in shops of home appliances. Yes collect it can any Amateur radio operator.

In the novel by the Strugatsky brothers "Predatory things of the century", written in 1964, the question was about the fact that with the development of scientific-technical progress people have problems with the technique will be not less, and more. The result may well be that some bored intellectual will take, and will figure out how to pay something completely peaceful device evil person.

So researchers at the University of Texas in the USA, just like in this novel, has managed to manufacture the device costs about a thousand dollars, which allows you to intercept the control of unmanned aerial vehicles, reports the Times newspaper. The device has received the name "GPS spoofer" (GPS spoofer); and it can interfere with GPS navigation systems and or you can forward the device for the new route of flight, or to cause loss, that is, simply put, smash it on the ground.

The creation of device involved a group of researchers led by Todd Humphrey, specializing in the field of radar navigation. The working principle of "GPS spoofer" is that the device sends an unmanned machine more powerful GPS signal than that, the device receives from the satellite. Thus, it is possible to transfer on UAV new coordinate data on which it changes your route.

The most interesting thing is that, as it was predicted half a century ago, the instrument is based components, which are sold in simple consumer electronics store. To collect the same system itself is simple; the only difficulty is the software, which, of course, in the public domain yet. But, according to experts, hackers will not be difficult to develop such a device yourself, and write enough for him committed.

The special concern of the specialists of this is the fact that in 2015 the U.S. plan to open airspace to flights of unmanned aerial vehicles civil emergency services and various security companies. And then the problem of theft can stand on the agenda acutely. Moreover, according to researchers at the University of Texas, this may mean that the US will be faced with a new wave of terrorism, a tool which will be intercepted by hackers UAV!

In fact, created in the USA "GPS spoofer" to the greatest extent effective in intercepting it UAV civil purposes, uses an unencrypted channel GPS. According to Humphrey, this does not mean that the unit cannot be used to intercept military drones is working with encrypted channel GPS of the Ministry of defense, but to steal them will be much more difficult. First, they use a highly directional communications with the satellite, and secondly, it will require serious revision software, hacking and algorithms, encryption systems management commands.

Currently in the United States conducted several research projects aimed at securing communication channels with unmanned aerial vehicles. Such projects special attention is paid once in 2009 revealed that Iraqi insurgents using a satellite dish and purchased online at intercepted video American UAV.

We also managed to figure out what to intercept signals us drone was used by the Russian software SkyGrabber, which is sold on 25,95 USD per license. According to the American military, the practice of intercepting signals established in Iraq since mid-2008. This became possible due to the fact that the UAV RQ/MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper use unencrypted communication channels. So now send commands to them carefully encrypted.

However, despite these precautions, in December 2011 in Iran was again intercepted American reconnaissance planes RQ-170 Sentinel. The Iranian side then announced that the interception of the apparatus was made through disablement of its management. Meanwhile, it has been suggested that to intercept device Sentinel Iranian military used complexes electronic warfare L "Avtobaza", delivered them from Russia in October 2011.

The experts stress that even a sharp focus of the communication channel UAV with the satellite does not ensure full protection against interception. Just enough to lift into the sky simplest own UAV and use it for transmission of signals, and you can disable any enemy aircraft, which will be under him, especially if his channel will be hacked in advance. In this case, the enemy UAV will not only successfully steal, but to retarget their own military facilities.