Plextek-DTS to develop drone-based anti-drone radar
Plextek-DTS (Defence Technology Solutions) is to develop a miniature drone radar to detect a hostile drone in the sky, as well as drone signal jammng technology.
Radar has traditinally been too heavy for small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Plexteck-DTS has been awarded two contracts under the £2m (€2.3m) Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition to develop new capabilities to detect, disrupt, and defeat the hostile and malicious use of drones.
Both contracts build on Plextek’s world-leading research and experience in Low Size Weight and Power (SWaP) radio systems. The first project focuses on the development of an innovative signal detection and jamming capability to detect and defeat hostile drones, while ensuring that non-hostile systems in the vicinity are not affected. For the second project, Plextek-DTS will develop a miniature radar that can be integrated into airborne drones in order to detect, track and accurately target hostile drones.
The competition is run by the UK Ministry of Defece innovation hub on behalf of Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to counter unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). The competition is also supported by the Department for Transport and NATO to counter the rapidly evolving threats from UAVs.
“Drones are increasingly being used to conduct hostile activities due to their relatively low cost, ease of deployment and lack of technologies to adequately counter them,” said Dr. Aled Catherall, Head of Technology, at Plextek-DTS. “The threat posed is advancing rapidly and drones are being used effectively against military targets and to disrupt critical national infrastructure. New technologies to counter the drone threat is therefore required and the two projects awarded to Plextek-DTS will help to provide a significant step towards achieving an effective counter-drone capability.”
Plextek DTS was created as a spinout of the Cambridge-based RF specialist to help government agencies, defence suppliers and military stakeholders find new technology exploitation paths to support UK forces.
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