SURVIVAL: Drone Evasion

Drones are commonly used by the military, corporations, police, and sometimes even civilians. Some are unarmed excepting for a camera, others are bristling with missiles or other weapons. Drones usually are airborne, though deployable ground-based or even underwater-based drones may be used to infiltrate structures for targeted results. As such, here are some common pieces of advice from street operatives on evading drones.

• Avoid initial detection. Drones can follow virtually any target once they know it is the right one. Your best hope for survival is to prevent the operator from identifying you in the first place.
• Stay off the phone. Drones with sensor suites can use a combination of visual and electronic surveillance to acquire and confirm targets. Do not make calls, send emails or texts, browse the web, or use apps that can be connected to you personally. In most cases, the drone will not attack until the operator can confirm—either by sight or electronically—that the phone is actually being used by the intended target and not a family member or associate.
• Choose cover carefully. From 25,000 to 30,000 feet, a drone will circle a target endlessly; when one is low on fuel, it will be replaced by another. You will therefore be under constant surveillance. Enter a building only if it connects to a subway or other nearby buildings that provide multiple escape routes.
• Change appearance. Once indoors, change clothing and put on a hat before going out again.
• Use weather. Wait until conditions deteriorate before leaving a secure building. Military drones can operate in bad weather, but cloud cover, heavy rain, and snow and ice may prevent the operator from visually confirming a target.
• Stay alert. Drones are very difficult to detect visually, though anecdotal evidence suggests they can be heard under certain atmospheric conditions. If you suspect a strike is imminent, you will have just seconds to act.
• Get underground. The complete weapons systems of Predator and Raptor drones are classified, but they are equipped with high-explosive–tipped missiles. Your best chance of survival is in a hardened bunker below ground, in a deep cave, or in the basement of a stone or brick building.

Drones are extremely maneuverable, and non-volitional AI allows them to swarm: fly collaboratively and follow targets autonomously. Take the following steps to avoid/survive an attack.

• Take cover. You cannot outrun a drone; however, you can put solid objects between you and them. Depending on how elaborate the drone's sensor package is, a wall between you may break contact, or it may simply force them to hover in hopes of catching a glimpse of you to resume the chase (see above).
• Run quickly in a zigzag pattern. Old NVAI drones can be tricked by very fast movement when attempting to pursue, allowing you to escape unless some of the swarm is already out ahead of you. Newer drones will not be fooled, but the pattern will assist with evading incoming fire.
• Move quickly into trees. Close-pursuit drones can be disabled by contact with obstructions, or may be forced into engagement range if they follow too closely. Run into a forest or other heavily wooded area where drones cannot fly easily. Note that drones may hover and be waiting when you break cover.
• Remain concealed. Small drones are limited by their small batteries, and those with beam weapons must choose between maintaining a target and firing their weapons. If you can stay hidden, you may be able to outlast them. Larger military or corporate drones can operate for days and switch out pursuers as needed, but can only track targets they can actually locate – see the general tips on evasion, above.
• Use darkness. Drone cameras are not equipped to follow targets they cannot see, and usually (at least for law enforcement and military applications) require visual identification or confirmation in order to engage weaponry. Sneak away after dark, preferably wearing an evasion suit to block other sensors.
• Knock them out of the sky. Civilian drones that follow too closely can be neutralized by simply striking them out of the air, while armed drones can be picked off from cover or targeted by point defense systems assuming you can reach a safe place to return fire from.
• Do not assume you are safe on a windy day. High-quality drones have effective stabilization mechanisms and can fly in high winds.
• Most flying drones cannot operate in water, so diving under the surface and swimming away may allow you to escape. The drones may hover and reacquire you upon resurfacing, however.