The technology, developed by the start-up Hala Systems, works by detecting aircraft using remote sensors on the ground in Idlib and machine-learning algorithms, which look at the speed of an aircraft and its usual flight pattern.
It then sends alerts via messaging apps Telegram, What’sApp and Facebook to “White Helmets” civil defence workers and civilians, as well as setting off air raid sirens in the areas likely to be affected.
“The message tells you everything, from where the warplanes took off, to where they think they will hit, to how long they will be and where the danger areas are,” Mr Ismail, 38, told The Telegraph. “You can even find out if they are Russian or if they are Syrian.”
The British government helped fund it and the article says casualties may have been lowered by 27% than they would have been without the warnings.
I assume this could be adapted for helicopter movement of troops, although it might have to incorporate human spotters to add that information to the sensor detection of helicopters.
Could it detect small drones as well?
This type of warning would be helpful to ground troops, although the sensors might have to be expendable types fired behind enemy lines to provide enough warning. Or it might simply work with existing radars tied into such a system.
Although the machine-learning algorithms might rely on a relatively static front with aircraft repeatedly bombing the same areas to demonstrate patterns.
It would be nice if you could count on the Russians and Syrians to not deliberately bomb civilian targets unlawfully. But you can't. So there is an app for that now.
