US: FBI upgrading drones with loud bang capability for tactical missions

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US is looking to acquire non-legal loadable distraction devices to go along with small hand-launched drones.

According to a US publisher, on August 7, the FBI issued a notice of its intent to award a sole-source contract to Typhon Group Limited, a company based in the U.K., to purchase Sky Hero Loki accessories and attachments.

These devices help confuse and disorient hostage-takers, terrorists, and other threats, especially those hiding within buildings.

“Typhon products have been designed to fit the Sky Hero Loki Mk2 and were the only products to be available from Sky Hero for the Loki. This has caused the FBI to equip the UAS with Typhon payloads,” according to the notice.

Safer distraction devices

Sky Hero Loki Mk2 is an indoor tactical UAV system designed for close-quarter scouting missions. It functions in crowded, dimly lit areas to position a camera and microphone for crucial information. This improves team safety by facilitating quick situational awareness and accurate decision-making.

Conventional distraction devices on such drones pose a significant risk of injury and property damage. They can cause collateral damage through fragmentation, with dangerous debris that can harm both people and structures.

These devices are also prone to technical issues such as flash-throughs, fuse failures, and the fuse itself becoming a lethal projectile.

According to UK-based Typhoon, secondary fires are a frequent risk, especially since some devices can burn at extremely high temperatures—up to 2,700 degrees Celsius—making them a serious fire hazard if they land on flammable materials.

Additionally, these devices produce a considerable amount of smoke, which can be toxic. Operator safety is also a concern, as poorly set fuse delays and deviations can increase the risk of detonation mishaps.

Typically, the fuses on these devices are expected to last one to two seconds, but if detonation does not occur within this timeframe, it may not occur at all, heightening the risk to operators who may be exposed to the blast.

To address these challenges, Typhoon has created a variety of reloadable, less deadly distraction devices and products with precise remote control start capabilities.

Innovative tactical solutions

The product line (DS-100SH), exclusively developed for the Loki Mk2 tactical drone, includes less lethal stand-alone devices as well as lightweight (100-135 grams), 169dB distraction payload systems for mUAS/UAS and UGV platforms.

The advanced technology behind these devices allows them to be programmed to create various distraction events, such as a “Five Round Burst,” which simulates automatic rifle fire , and a “Single Shot,” which is programmable and user-controlled.

Additionally, the “Shock and Awe” feature triggers all five events simultaneously. This advanced design significantly reduces the risks associated with traditional distraction devices, such as personal injury, fire, fragmentation, and other forms of collateral damage.

According to the Typhon Group’s website, they are also developing new cartridges for the system that can generate various other effects.

As a result, these devices provide a safer alternative for creating tactical distractions with minimal risk to operators and surrounding environments.

According to its makers, distraction devices could be useful in covert operations, counterterrorism, crowd control, Law Enforcement, Close Protection, Aviation, and maritime.

The notice does not specify which FBI units will receive the Typhon Group “payloads” for the Loki Mk2 drones. According to The War Zone , the FBI maintains SWAT teams in all its field offices and at its Washington, D.C., headquarters, in addition to the elite Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) located in Quantico, Virginia.