Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers on Counter-UAS advisory, UXO drone survey, confined space inspection, and topographic mapping — how each service works, who it's for, and how Paragon operates.
Counter-UAS & Airspace Security
What is Counter-UAS advisory and does Paragon sell detection equipment?
No. Paragon operates as a vendor-neutral Counter-UAS advisor. While we hold reseller agreements with select equipment manufacturers, capability is always selected on the basis of your specific threat profile and operational requirements — never on the basis of which partnerships we hold. We assess drone-related threats against your site, then recommend the detection, identification, and response capability that fits, following a structured, threat-led methodology (TVRA) rather than defaulting to a preferred vendor.
Why would a site with an existing Counter-UAS system still need a threat assessment?
Legacy detection systems are often tuned to older threat profiles and can miss drones operated over RF or cellular links, particularly in RF-congested built-up areas. We've seen live cases where an installed system failed to pick up a threat because the threat actor's method of control fell outside what the system was designed to detect. A periodic reassessment checks that your capability still matches how drone threats are actually operating today, not how they operated when the system was specified.
How does a Counter-UAS threat assessment actually work?
We define the operational environment and threat profile for your site, then apply a structured methodology to determine what detection, identification, and response layers are actually needed — rather than starting from a product catalogue. This reduces the risk of over-specifying (unnecessary cost) or under-specifying (ineffective deployment) a system. Where useful, we also support evaluation of candidate capability through operational trials.
UXO Survey
How does drone-based UXO detection work?
A magnetometer sensor is mounted on a UAV and flown in a low-altitude grid pattern over the survey area. The sensor detects disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field caused by buried ferrous objects, which are then mapped and flagged as anomalies for follow-up investigation. This keeps personnel out of hazardous ground entirely during data capture and covers large or difficult-to-access sites faster than a walked ground survey.
What areas are suitable for a drone UXO survey versus other methods?
Drone-based magnetometer surveys work best on clear, accessible ground — greenfield sites, agricultural land, and areas that are difficult or unsafe to walk, such as marshy ground or land with restricted access. Densely built-up sites, areas with heavy existing ferrous clutter, or locations requiring very shallow, high-resolution detection may still call for ground-based or vehicle-mounted methods alongside or instead of a drone survey. We advise on the right method mix for your site rather than defaulting to one approach.
Confined Space & Mapping
What is confined space drone inspection and when is it used?
Confined space inspection uses small drones to safely capture visual and sensor data inside enclosed, hazardous, or hard-to-access structures — tanks, vessels, shafts, and similar assets — without putting personnel inside. It's typically used where manual entry would require costly access equipment, shutdowns, or confined-space entry procedures, and where the asset can be assessed remotely instead.
What does large-area topographic mapping with drones provide that traditional survey doesn't?
Drone-based topographic mapping captures accurate terrain and site data across large or complex areas in a fraction of the time a ground survey team would need, using photogrammetry and, where required, LiDAR. This supports planning, design, and progress tracking on projects where speed and repeat coverage matter, such as active construction sites or large land parcels.
Working With Paragon
Does Paragon operate nationally across the UK?
Yes. Paragon Drones is based in Rochester, Kent, and operates nationally across the UK, including 24/7 availability.