The Disruptive Evolution of Drones in Emergency Situations and Beyond

«In 1978, at age 17, I joined the army, where I studied military engineering. Four years later, I joined Telefónica de España. In 2000, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and joined a company that manufactures credit cards and banknotes to set up the General Services department. Thanks to the Master's Degree in Facility Management from Structuralia, of which Today, I am a co-author and professor; this experience transformed my professional perspective, leading me to establish a department specializing in facility management in maximum-security environments.

Once I had successfully established the department, I needed new challenges, and in 2007 I took on a new role as director of international facility management projects specializing in risk management. In 2014, I shifted my career focus to Facility Management in Critical Infrastructure and the integration of UAS, robotics, and AI in high-security environments. I don’t consider myself exceptionally intelligent or to have extraordinary skills, but I believe my career path shows what can be achieved with dedication and hard work.

Eleven years ago, at age 50, I entered the world of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). At age 55, I began to explore the field of Artificial Intelligence, And at age 58, I embarked on an innovative, high-tech project, thanks to the training and specialization in disruptive fields that transformed the way I work. Today, at 61 years old, I am the head of the engineering and technology department at BPS, an organization that encompasses various drone units, anti-drone systems, and canine teams specialized in explosives, including an innovative trio consisting of the trainer, the dog, and the UAS. Currently, our pioneering private UAS unit is recognized as the best-trained in Spain and one of the most prominent in Europe in this field.«

In your experience as director of the Master's Program in Drone and Anti-Drone Engineering for Security and Emergencies. What do you think will be the most disruptive trends in the use of drones for security and emergency response over the next five years?

«With the rollout of fifth-generation mobile communications (5G), the new airspace management system in Europe (U-Space), artificial intelligence (AI), and the recent regulations on the use of UAS (RD 517/2024) A major shift is taking place in the UAS sector that will completely change the way we view UAS today. LThe combination of these highly disruptive technologies, under the umbrella of the new Royal Decree that complements European legislation, is completely transforming the use of UAS in fields such as public and private security, search and rescue, and emergency management. In just a few months, we will be able to manage different aircraft within the same search area from a remote command center, granting UASs sufficient autonomy to carry out their programmed tasks—including equipping them with the AI necessary to make routine, repetitive decisions without human intervention.

This requires that Those who wish to enter this exciting field should start today to acquire theoretical and practical skills if they want to be prepared for these new challenges. Otherwise, those with the most expertise in these fields (5G, U-Space, UAS, and legislation) will be in the best position.

We will also see significant changes in UAS. Batteries last longer than ever before. Eleven years ago, the battery on the Phantom—DJI’s first drone—barely lasted fifteen minutes. Today, the Mavic 3T from the same manufacturer, under scheduled flight conditions and with favorable weather, can fly for up to forty minutes on a battery that’s much smaller than the Phantom’s.

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With technological advances in drone engineering. How do you see anti-drone measures evolving? Do you think we’ll reach a point where anti-drone technologies will surpass the capabilities of drones in terms of security?

«Five years ago, we worked with the manufacturer to design a drone neutralization system that has proven to be very effective over time. Currently, and for the past five years, We use anti-drone technology in first-division soccer stadiums in Spain. We have our own system for implementing anti-drone operations at large-scale events, a methodology we teach in detail in the Master’s program and which establishes us as the only civilian anti-drone (C-UAS) unit in the country. We have a track record of detecting more than 350 UAS in unauthorized areas in recent years, all at sporting events. However, it is important to understand that this type of service must be directed by a law enforcement agency, which must issue the order to neutralize the aircraft.  

Currently, with the implementation of the new Royal Decree on the use of UAS, As operators, we are required to register our aircraft on the Ministry of the Interior’s platform. In addition, UAS must be equipped with tracking systems that allow them to be identified in airspace, which makes it easier for law enforcement to detect their presence and locate the pilot. There are already apps, such as OpenDroneID and Drone Scanner, that allow the drone's position and trajectory to be tracked in real time. Despite these measures, there will always be those who attempt to operate UAS illegally. However, experience gained over more than five years with anti-drone systems shows that 98% of the UAS neutralized in stadiums were operated by individuals seeking only to gain notoriety on social media. On only one occasion was a terrorist attack thwarted by a Daesh member who attempted to bring a UAS into a first-division soccer match. For reasons such as this, Spanish first-division stadiums have been required to have anti-drone measures in place for some time now.«

We know that regulations and policies are crucial when it comes to the use of drones and anti-drone devices. What regulatory challenges have you identified, and how do you think they should be addressed to strike a balance between technological innovation and public safety?

«Regulation is a constant challenge, especially with the new Royal Decree 517/2024, which brings Spanish regulations into line with European standards. It is crucial to strike a balance between allowing innovation and ensuring public safety. Clear and flexible frameworks must be established to adapt to technological advances and the needs of the industry and society. This new Royal Decree, while it has room for improvement, greatly simplifies both EASA and non-EASA operations. A significant change is on the horizon. We’ve waited many years, and with this new landscape, we’ll see a considerable increase in the number of new pilots. For example, my pilot certificate number is 2,100, and the most recent students we’ve trained in-house have received certificate number 120,220 from AESA. In just 11 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of pilots who want to do things right.«

Having held key positions in facilities management and security. How has your previous experience influenced the content and focus of the master's program you direct?

«My experience in facility management for critical infrastructure, with a focus on security, has been instrumental in shaping the content and approach of the master's program I direct.". We have structured the program to cover both technical and legal aspects, by integrating practical exercises in real-world scenarios with actual operations and errors. In our classes, we don’t just discuss theory—we share our firsthand experiences as pilots, flight safety managers, or flight coordinators, detailing how we implemented and developed our UAS Unit and achieved ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and 27001 certifications.

The approach of the Master's Degree in Drone and Anti-Drone Engineering for Security and Emergency Response It is eminently practical. We want students, upon completing the program and carrying out their internships and projects, to be fully prepared to begin their professional careers in this field. We provide essential documentation, such as the Operator’s Manual, aircraft maintenance logs, and operational procedures for safety and emergency operations—which you should implement as standard practice—allowing you to tailor them to your company’s needs. In addition, we offer ongoing support to address questions regarding both the course content and real-world operational situations you may encounter.

The implementation of our UAS Unit and the process for obtaining ISO certifications are taught in detail, showing students the steps necessary to achieve high standards of quality and efficiency. This practical approach, grounded in our real-world experiences, ensures that graduates of the master’s program not only possess theoretical knowledge but also the ability to apply it effectively in real-world security and emergency situations..«

In your opinion. What are the most critical skills that professionals need to develop to work in the field of drone and anti-drone engineering, particularly in security and emergency contexts?

«In summary, the most critical skills I've observed over time include understanding the regulations governing the use of UAS, knowledge of the operational area where UAS operations take place, the ability to follow pre-flight plans without deviating or improvising, confidence in the UAS’s electronics, the ability to operate and maintain UAS in adverse conditions, and an understanding of how AI can assist in UAS operations. Furthermore, it is essential Develop the ability to understand the pressure from the people around you without letting it affect you and the data analysis for making decisions in real time and under pressure. Finally, the skill I haven’t been able to master—and which poses the greatest challenge for me—is when a search operation for a missing person turns into a body recovery. Even though we spend hours searching in precarious conditions, under constant pressure, and striving to meet our objectives, we must accept and cope with the fact that our work doesn’t always have a happy ending.«

From your perspective. What are the most promising applications of drones in emergency situations and natural disasters? Can you share any case studies or practical examples of success in this area?

«In the field of rescue operations, UAS have evolved from being simple auxiliary tools to becoming essential components for search and rescue teams. Its use provides highly valuable information which enables those responsible for managing crisis situations to make quick and accurate decisions. The combination of ROVs (remotely operated underwater vehicles) and UAS has established itself as one of the most efficient strategies in this field. In situations where time is of the essence, such as when people go missing at sea, Every minute counts. This technology offers numerous advantages, most notably its rapid deployment, the safety of the rescue team, and risk reduction. For example, an ROV can explore the depths without requiring a diver to submerge until it is necessary, significantly increasing the efficiency of the operation while minimizing associated hazards. In addition, an ROV disturbs less sediment from the seabed than a diver, and visibility is the same or better than what a person can see. 

During a recent nighttime mission on the beaches of Barcelona, we participated in a search operation in which the ROV and the UAS worked in sync. Thanks to this coordination—and given that helicopters could not be used due to the risks involved—we were able to conduct the search for several hours in complete darkness, successfully locating the missing person, who was miraculously clinging to a buoy.

In the event of a fire, UAS have also proven to be extremely effective. They allow us to guide firefighting teams, precisely directing them where to aim the water through small cracks to attack the fire from within. This not only reduces the time needed to extinguish the fire but also minimizes risks to personnel and the amount of water used. In addition, UAS can anticipate potential incidents—such as detecting the imminent collapse of a burning building’s structure—significantly improving the safety of operations.«

Finally, in terms of professional development. What advice would you give to students interested in specializing in drone and anti-drone engineering? What opportunities do you see in the future for these professionals? And why would you recommend that they pursue the Master’s in Drone and Anti-Drone Engineering for Security and Emergencies? 

«In recent years, I've come across two groups of professionals who want to adopt this combination of technologies: those who say this technology will take away our jobs and those who see it as an opportunity, In fact, it will be this last group who will be eligible for the job because they are prepared—or in the process of preparing—for the immediate future. It’s up to you to decide which group of professionals you’ll belong to, but remember that this technology won’t take your job away—it will be the people who are best prepared to manage this disruptive technology and face new challenges as individuals and as a society who will do so. 

The future offers opportunities in security, logistics, infrastructure inspection, and more. The Master's Degree in Drone and Anti-Drone Engineering for Security and Emergency Response is an ideal option for obtaining comprehensive and specialized training, in line with the current demands of the new era we are living in. 

I recommend this master's program because It is based on real-life experiences and on documents we use in the UAS unit, the mistakes we’ve made and how we’ve fixed them, as well as the experience of the pilots who put this guide together. We prioritize sharing our experiences over PDFs, which will help you over time but won’t directly answer any questions you may have. You’ll always have the PDF, but you’ll only have us for a limited time, so take advantage of this opportunity. We are, first and foremost, pilots who want to share our experiences and passion for this sport with you.«

We are deeply grateful to Francisco Martínez for sharing their valuable experience and knowledge about the exciting world of Drones and anti-drone technology in the fields of security and emergency response. His career and vision offer a unique perspective that undoubtedly inspires professionals and students to continue exploring this ever-evolving field.