For decades aviation has focused on minimizing the very real danger of bird strike, so aircraft do already have some level of protection against a drone strike. Still, we need to know more about the risk posed by drones, especially with their solid batteries and motors and spinning rotors.
The perception of drones undoubtedly suffers from their foreboding appearance – whether a Reaper or a recreational drone purchased off eBay they look like something out of a sci-fi movie. But the threat that drones pose to the safely of pilots and the flying public is more than just perception.