Pope Francis funeral: Vatican deploys anti-drone defences
Due to the upcoming funeral of Pope Francis, the Vatican is introducing heightened security measures. According to "Corriere della Sera", anti-drone teams with special weaponry have already been deployed on-site.
With the expected arrival of thousands of faithful for the funeral of Pope Francis, the highest level of security has been implemented in the Vatican. Anti-drone teams have been stationed around St. Peter's Square, tasked with neutralizing potential aerial threats. Media reports show troops equipped with uniquely shaped "rifles."
Drone countermeasure equipment
Images from the Vatican primarily show equipment from the CPM brand, capable of countering drones over a range of up to 700 metres. Specifically, it's the CPM DJI-120-4B anti-drone weapon.
The mentioned weapon is relatively light, weighing 17 kilograms including batteries, a backpack, and four directional antennas. The DJI-120-4B operates in the SAT 1500 MHz band, WiFi 2.4-2.5 GHz, and the 5.8 GHz video band. The system can block unmanned aerial vehicles at a distance of 700 metres. The CPM rifle, 89 centimetres in length, is powered by BB2590 batteries that allow it to remain on standby for 20 hours.
In the Vatican, smaller anti-drone weapons are also available to the service - the CPM Wilson. This three-band system resembles a gun and is powered by Li-Po batteries, allowing it to remain on standby for 48 hours. Its range is approximately 500 metres.
Anti-drone weapons in the Vatican
Enhanced security measures respond to the expected crowds of faithful who wish to pay their respects to the deceased pope. Vatican authorities emphasize that participants' safety is a priority, and all actions aim to ensure peace during the ceremony.
Enhancements include traffic control around the Vatican and collaboration with international services, aiming to ensure the smooth conduct of the ceremony.
