Another mystery drone over French nuclear plant

[bananas]

Source: Agence France-Presse

A drone has flown over a nuclear plant in central France for the second time in two days, a source close to the case said Monday, the latest in a mysterious string of such incidents.

The unmanned flying machine went over the plant in Dampierre-en-Burly on Sunday evening, said the source, who wished to remain anonymous. The power station had already been overflown on Friday evening.

Authorities are scratching their heads over the number of unidentified drones spotted over nuclear plants across France over the past month, and a probe has been launched to try and find out exactly who is piloting the remote-controlled machines. They have counted at least 15 fly-overs, sparking questions over the security of nuclear plants in France, which relies heavily on atomic energy for electricity. The interior ministry has stressed that a drone does not pose any concern for the plants which are “designed to withstand a strong earthquake or an airliner crashing into it”.

But it is against French law to fly within a five-kilometre (three-mile) radius of a nuclear plant. Anyone breaking the law is liable to one year in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($94,000).

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Read more: http://nation.com.pk/international/04-Nov-2014/another-mystery-drone-over-french-nuclear-plant

[bananas]

1. 'Game of drones' highlights France's nuclear vulnerability

http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/game-drones-highlights-frances-nuclear-vulnerability-309738

'Game of drones' highlights France's nuclear vulnerability
Published: 04/11/2014 - 11:13

Unidentified drones have made flights over 11 French nuclear power stations since the beginning of October. French authorities and nuclear experts are becoming increasingly worried about this activity, which Libération has dubbed the "game of drones". EurActiv France reports.

Energy company EDF has complained to France's Atomic Energy Commission, and an investigation is being opened into the subject. It is forbidden to fly within 5 kilometers of a nuclear power station, or less than 1,000 meters above one. Contravening this law can earn you a year in prison, and a fine of €75,000.

"These are very serious events! I do not understand why they are not taken more seriously. One issue is the unknown origin of these drones, but there is also the potential danger demonstrated by this kind of occurrence," said Mycle Schneider, a French nuclear expert and author of the World Nuclear Industry Status Report.

"All the state services for the safety and security of the most important sectors (interior, energy and environment, defence) have been mobilised since the beginning of these flyovers, in an attempt to identify those responsible and to put an end to them," the French Secretariat General for Defence and National Security stated in a press release.

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[bananas]

3. A reconnaissance operation?

A little more from the EurActive article:

A reconnaissance operation?

"The heart of a nuclear reactor is installed inside a very solid enclosure. But a clever person would look for a power station's weakest points, and with reconnaissance operations, they might find what they are looking for. Of course there are fragile and attackable areas," Mycle Schneider said, citing the vulnerability of the facility at La Hague.

He believes this is one of the most vulnerable sites, presenting a high risk of radioactive contamination. 10,000 tons of irradiated material is stored in 5 relatively unprotected pools, raised above ground to avoid damage from seismic activity. "The problem with above-ground pools is that they can be drained, and they are only covered by corrugated metal," he said.

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[bananas]

2. France scrambles to identify who is flying drones over its nuclear sites

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/11/04/world/french-nuclear-plant-hit-another-mystery-drone-flyover/

France scrambles to identify who is flying drones over its nuclear sites
AP
Nov 4, 2014

PARIS – French security officials are investigating a spate of mysterious and illegal flights by drone aircraft over more than a dozen nuclear power stations in France, raising security concerns in a country that largely lives off atomic energy.

In what environmental activists call a worrisome development, authorities have tallied at least 15 overflights of nuclear sites since early October, culminating Friday with five at separate sites, government and utility officials said Monday.

Authorities would not speculate about who could be behind the overflights or what their motive might be. But prospects ranged from would-be terrorist scouts, economic spies, a political or environmental group, or even a hobbyist playing an illegal joke.

Environment and Energy Minister Segolene Royal said there are no leads as to who was behind the flights.

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[jakeXT]

4. Maybe China can sell them a laser

Why China is using lasers to take down drones
China sees the new laser technology as a way to combat possible terrorist drone attacks during "major events in urban areas."

China has developed and successfully tested technology to shoot down drones with lasers, according to state media.

The "homemade laser defense system" specifically targets small-scale drones flying at a low altitude – the likely choice of terrorists, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The mechanism can also take down various other small aircraft within a two-kilometer radius within five seconds of locating its target, the China Academy of Engineering Physics, one of the system's co-developers, claimed in a statement Sunday.

http://news.yahoo.com/why-china-using-lasers-down-drones-164631914.html

[Feral Child]

5. K&R n/t

[iemitsu]

6. Can't the French track or follow these drones to their place of origin?

If there has been 11 or 15 of these drone fly-overs and the government is concerned, why haven't they figured out how to follow one of the things home?
I would also ask, "Are these evil drones solar or wind powered?". Maybe some lead there.
Surely, The French could send up micro-drones, to attach themselves to the mother drone and be carried back to the lair.
I expect this mystery to soon be solved.

[Kennah]

7. I'm betting ...