Unmanned aircraft can make a significant contribution to applications such as search and rescue missions. A new radar platform currently under development supports these missions and can provide advanced ground imagery and intelligence from unmanned aircraft.
This is a so-called airborne multi-mode radar being developed by Robin Radar Systems and TNO. TNO is contributing the fundamental research and system concepts, whilst Robin Radar Systems is responsible for industrialisation and commercial development. The parties aim to jointly develop the platform into an operationally deployable product, targeted at defence, security, emergency services and government organisations.
Detecting birds and drones
Robin Radar Systems specialises in radar systems designed for organisations in the defence, security, aviation and environmental sectors. The radar systems are designed to detect small flying objects, such as birds and drones. Organisations can use the systems, amongst other things, to prevent so-called ‘bird strikes’ in aviation.
Robin Radar Systems is headquartered in The Hague. The company was founded in 2010 as a spin-off from TNO. Robin Radar Systems was acquired by the investment firm Parcom in October 2024.
Detailed view of activities on land and at sea
The radar system being developed by Robin Radar Systems in collaboration with TNO is designed for larger drones and functions as an advanced imaging sensor. The system can generate detailed images of activities on both land and at sea. The radar is capable of mapping large areas, even in conditions where conventional cameras fall short, such as in the dark, in bad weather, or in smoke or dust.
The system offers multiple radar modes:
- SAR for detailed area imagery
- GMTI for detecting moving objects on the ground
- ISAR for analysing vehicles and vessels
The combination of these modes provides users with ‘situational awareness’ on the ground.
On-board data processing
Robin Radar Systems and TNO emphasise that it is crucial for all data processing to take place on board the drone. This reduces the amount of raw sensor data that needs to be transmitted, which helps to prevent bottlenecks in data processing.
