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Netherlands ready to deploy anti-drone eagle squad
Last updated on Sep 18, 2016, 10:30 am
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The Netherlands police announced that it was ready to deploy its anti-drone eagle squad after a year of training the birds, making Netherlands the first country to use such a tactic.
The Netherlands police's "Flying Squad" was constituted to protect airspace over airports and other sensitive areas.
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The Flying Squad
The Flying Squad and their training
![The Flying Squad and their training]( "The Flying Squad and their training")
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The Netherlands National Police, after completing a year-long trial, have purchased bald eagle chicks which are now around five months old.
Till the time birds mature, the Netherlands police will use eagles supplied by a company called Guard From Above which trains anti-drone birds of prey.
According to sources, around 100 police officers will be trained to work with the eagles.
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Do you know?
The average flying speed of bald eagles
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Bald eagles can reach a top speed of 50 km/hr while migrating. However, their normal flight speed is generally much lower.
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How?
How does the tactic work?
![How does the tactic work?]( "How does the tactic work?")
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The eagles are trained to hunt down drones like they hunt live prey.
While hunting, eagles strike a prey and carry their kill to a place they deem to be safe.
While hunting drones, the eagles have been trained to attack the drone and carry it to a place designated by the police, allowing the police to recover the drone.
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Do you know?
Protection for the anti-drone eagles
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Police handlers said that the scales on the eagles' feet and legs protect them from being harmed by a drone's rotors. However, the Dutch police are, as a precaution, working on talon protectors made from kevlar.
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18 Sep 2016
Netherlands ready to deploy anti-drone eagle squad
![Netherlands ready to deploy anti-drone eagle squad]( "Netherlands ready to deploy anti-drone eagle squad")
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The Netherlands police announced that it was ready to deploy its anti-drone eagle squad after a year of training the birds, making Netherlands the first country to use such a tactic.
The Netherlands police's "Flying Squad" was constituted to protect airspace over airports and other sensitive areas.
