Aircraft have had it for years. It is called IFF (International Friend or Foe) . All the oilfield has to do is buy the interrogators, install them on all the platforms and train people to use. I am thinking that will happen sometime AFTER a plane or helicopter is flown into a platform and the government turns down the idea of AAA (Anti-Aircraft Artillery) on platforms and rigs.
It is not going to happen…
The platform did the right thing by turning off the lights. Of course if the helo was serious, they would have had night vision goggles on the pilot. Look if someone wants to invade or destroy a platform or facility, they will. I am not defending my vessel, I am handing them the keys. I don’t have the weapons, training or personnel to defend the boat and don’t want weapons aboard, they are too much of a hassle.
Standing by for the 2nd amendment arguments and then intentionally ignoring them…