Kansas tech company unveils two new drone detection radars

Radar technology company Ainstein—located in Lawrence, Kansas—has rolled out new airborne and ground-based ultra-long-range radar systems capable of detecting drones more than 3,200 feet away.

Ainstein said the radars fill the need for precise, cost-effective detection tools to minimize disaster risks, keep classified information safe and protect government buildings, critical infrastructure and airports. The ULAB-D1 is designed for air-to-air operations while the ULGB-D1 is a ground-based radar.

According to Ainstein, both radars feature digital beam forming for highly precise elevation measurement and real-time processing for 3D detection. Speed measurement for more than 100 targets brings enhanced security capabilities to airborne and ground-based radar solutions, the company said.

“Customizable long-range radar systems are essential to keeping critical infrastructure safe from skyborne threats, which can range from UAVs conducting surveillance of a site to actual attacks on the site,” said Andrew Boushie, vice president of strategy and partnerships at Ainstein. “Whether accidental or malicious, unauthorized UAVs in proximity to critical infrastructure could have devastating impacts.”

For airborne-based drone detection radar, the ULAB-D1 provides a compact sensor capable of integrating into high-speed and heavy-duty UAS platforms; air-to-air detection and avoidance capability for beyond visual-line-of-sight operations; detection and tracking range of up to 1000 meters for manned and unmanned airborne vehicles; and all-weather detection and tracking.

For ground-based drone detection radar, the ULGB-D1 provides data to unmanned aircraft traffic management systems; detection for non-cooperative intruders and cooperative targets in the operating airspace for management of localized commercial UAS operations; and a compact and portable sensor, making it ideal for temporary UAS flight operations.

Ainstein noted that the ULGB-D1 is capable of two modes of operation. It provides an industry-first rotating stand, enabling 360-degree coverage for intrusion detection, threats and anomalous activity. It also has a portable radar patch to cover the most critical areas at events, such as concerts, sporting events and more.

“Ultra-long-range detection means quicker, more effective responses to threats, as well as enabling safer operations for tasks such as infrastructure inspection, package delivery, disaster response and analytics initiatives,” Boushie said. “It is a critical component to receiving FAA authorization for such use cases.”