Aimed at supporting national security, Athena Security’s latest AI X-ray innovation empowers government, transportation, and critical infrastructure sectors to detect drones pre-assembly, before they breach sensitive perimeters.
AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#ai–The frequency of major drone incidents worldwide has risen more than 60%, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has reported a 25.6% increase in illegal drone incursions since 2024. In response to increasing drone threats, Athena Security has developed a drone defense system. The newly unveiled Drone Defense Detection Model—integrated into the company’s AI Assisted X-ray screening system—detects and flags drone components, including those hidden within cargo or luggage, before they can be assembled or reach secure perimeters—empowering government sites, airports, transportation hubs, and critical infrastructure operators to act before a threat becomes an incident.
Rising Threat from Inexpensive Drones: A Global Wake-Up Call
In recent years, the Russia–Ukraine war has vividly demonstrated how drones that cost less than $1,000 each can be weaponized to cause massive devastation. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have used inexpensive unmanned systems—many that were repurposed commercial or hobby drones—to strike energy infrastructure, rail networks, ammunition depots, and civilian sites.
In one instance, in October 2025, Russia launched a massive barrage of over 300 drones and missiles targeting Ukraine’s energy grid, causing widespread outages across multiple regions.
At the same time, Europe’s aviation system has experienced collateral consequences. Airports from Munich to Copenhagen have experienced disruptive drone incursions, leading to flight cancellations, postponements, and temporary shutdowns.
In other examples:
- In October 2025, Munich Airport canceled 17 flights and grounded nearly 3,000 passengers after overnight drone sightings forced a seven-hour shutdown.
- In September 2025, multiple drones halted all takeoffs and landings for nearly four hours at Copenhagen Airport, disrupting dozens of flights across Scandinavia.
- Later, in the same month of September 2025, a drone intrusion near Fuerteventura Airport in Spain’s Canary Islands caused diversions and delays, disrupting travel for hundreds of passengers.
These incidents underscore a simple truth: adversaries and malicious actors now have the means to easily threaten both military and civilian targets at low cost, with limited warning.
“Today’s drones are inexpensive, stealthy and scalable. Waiting for an incident is no longer a viable defense,” says Chris Ciabarra, Co-founder and CTO of Athena Security. “Our goal is to give critical infrastructure operators a chance to stop threats before they reach the secure perimeter—whether the threat arrives by backpack, cargo bay, or is assembled onsite.”
Protecting National Assets with Preemptive Drone Defense
Athena Security’s new AI x-ray model extends its advanced x-ray screening suite beyond conventional threats like knives and guns. With advanced machine learning designed to classify drone components or detect signatures within carry-on or cargo items, Athena’s Drone Detection System can flag suspicious items before a drone is even assembled inside a secured zone.
In other countries, military-grade drones have been smuggled into restricted territories in pieces and later assembled for attacks. A similar threat exists for civilian settings such as airports. However, to date, no systems have been developed to actively screen for this risk in the U.S. By enabling x-ray systems to recognize both assembled and unassembled drone components, Athena Security helps airports, energy facilities, and other critical infrastructure stop potential threats at the door—long before they enter restricted zones.
Athena Security’s Drone Detection Model Capabilities Include:
- High-fidelity feature recognition — detecting motors, propellers, electronics, battery packs, and structural drone components, even when disguised or compact.
- Low false-positive tuning — The model is optimized to reduce nuisance alerts in complex environments.
- Integration with access control — When a drone payload is flagged, the system triggers alerts, lockdown procedures, or security interventions.
- Scalability — The AI X-ray Drone Detection Model is deployable at checkpoints, perimeter gates, cargo ingress points, and even unmanned checkpoint stations.
Athena Security’s foray into drone detection is a proactive, future-focused strategy that anticipates the growing use of drones in surveillance, smuggling, sabotage, and asymmetric attacks across the United States and its allies.
“One of our clients had a drone incident that compromised their airspace. They needed a way to detect small drones and their components before they became a threat,” shares Ciabarra. “They understand the risks and asked if we could help—so we built it.”
Defending Infrastructure and Public Spaces from Drone Threats
- As drones proliferate, threat vectors will expand: border zones, ports, stadiums, data centers, critical infrastructure, and logistics hubs all become potential targets.
- Governments and private operators increasingly demand proactive countermeasures rather than reactive “take-down” solutions.
- Athena Security’s drone detection feature is positioned as a natural extension to its existing AI X-ray, adding a potent layer of protection for entities already adopting advanced screening.
Advancing the Future of U.S. Drone Defense
While the Russia–Ukraine war spotlights the power of unmanned systems in full-scale conflict, parallels are emerging in the U.S. security landscape. Domestic concerns—such as illicit drone surveillance, smuggling, and asymmetric attacks—are prompting states, municipalities, and private sector operators to reassess perimeter defense.
Athena is actively engaging with federal, state, and municipal agencies to pilot deployments of its AI X-ray Drone Detection Model. The company is also exploring partnerships with counter-UAV (C-UAV) vendors, electronic warfare providers, and security integrators to develop end-to-end layered systems combining detection, interception, and physical response.
About Athena Security
Athena Security is the industry leader in AI-powered threat detection. Its mission is to safeguard people and data through intelligent innovation, and its solutions – including weapons detection, visitor management, telepresence, AI x-ray and smart glasses technology – are deployed to protect facilities, people, and critical assets. Known for its deep expertise in weapons detection, Athena Security now expands into counter-drone defense with its next-generation AI X-ray Drone Detection Model. Athena Security is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with remote offices in San Francisco, California, and Jacksonville, Florida. To learn more, visit www.Athena-Security.com.
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Anita S. Lane, Publicist
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