Raytheon enhances UAS "see and avoid" picture
Raytheon Company has developed and patented a low-cost radar technology that will, for the first time, provide both military and civil air traffic controllers with the capability to avoid airborne hazards around unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which costs the Pentagon millions in damaged aircraft.
Under the Ground Based Sense and Avoid (GBSAA) initiatives with the US Air Force to repurpose existing National Airspace System (NAS)-certified radars, UAS operators and controllers will have more information to help them make safer decisions. Since current ATC radars can only see airspace in two dimensions -- latitude and longitude -- UAS operators and controllers must assume that any hazard detected also resides on the same altitude.
"Traditional air traffic control radars have only been able to see in two dimensions since the 1950s," said Mike Prout, vice president for Raytheon Network Centric Systems' Security and Transportation Systems. "Our comprehensive technology provides one more dimension that gives UAS operators and controllers what they need to get the mission done."
Currently UAS operators have to avoid any potential hazard in the airspace, even those that may be far from the UAS in altitude. With the ATC radars repurposed through a software enhancement to detect altitude, the install-base of ATC radars will be able to detect all hazards in the NAS and provide the altitude resolution information needed by controllers and UAS operators to safely and efficiently direct the UAS.
Source: Raytheon
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems]()
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
![Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences]()
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
![Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way]()
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
![AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems]()
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
-
![DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract]()
DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
-
![Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems]()
Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.
