UK purchases LiveLink CUAS system
The CUAS sensor has been trialled on the UK RN’s XV Patrick Blackett. (Photo: Crown Copyright/UK RN)
LiveLink has worked with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), Defence and Security Accelerator and Royal Navy (RN) in the development of CUAS sensors and systems.
The UK Royal Navy (RN) has purchased new CUAS sensors which were developed by the UK’s DASA and LiveLink Aerospace.
The procurement follows LiveLink receiving a contract in 2020 under the Countering Drones: Phase 2 competition, an effort run on behalf of the Home Office, which was followed by further work as part of a Royal Navy tender in 2022.
The consortium developed a low-cost, flexible and scalable sensor unit for tracking multiple UAS called Passive Detection & Ranging (PDAR) and following competitive field trials, the RN procured more than 10 CUAS systems for their frontline ships
The PDAR system uses conventional software defined radios, integrated circuits that can be reprogrammed and an innovative implementation of Convolutional Neural Networks technology to detect radio frequencies (RF) emitted by drones. The sensor unit itself is also silent and stealthy, as it does not emit RF emissions that could alert an adversary.
The latest purchase is for CUAS sensors which can be installed on ships, boats or fixed sites and trials have already taken place of the sensor on RN experimental ship, XV Patrick Blackett.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Macron hints at possible future Rafale deal, following France-Indonesia defence pact]()
Macron hints at possible future Rafale deal, following France-Indonesia defence pact
The Letter of Intent (LoI)discussed deepening the partnership between the two nations and focused on military equipment that included submarines, fighter jets and frigates.
-
![Canada’s P-8A aircraft to receive L3Harris surveillance systems]()
Canada’s P-8A aircraft to receive L3Harris surveillance systems
The Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) are set to be delivered in 2026 with L3Harris’ WECAM MX-20 enhancing its capabilities to conduct maritime and land intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in regions like the Arctic.
-
![Final Dutch F-16 bound for Ukraine, as Sweden and Latvia commit further military aid]()
Final Dutch F-16 bound for Ukraine, as Sweden and Latvia commit further military aid
Drones also remain a core focus for military aid funding from various allied countries, as the uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) remain a pivotal part of Ukraine’s defence strategy.
-
![New UAVs: is the right capability being procured for the British Army?]()
New UAVs: is the right capability being procured for the British Army?
Following the retirement of Watchkeeper from the UK Armed Forces, what drone capabilities will be next sought as a replacement?
-
![FCAS programme to launch Phase 2 by mid-2026, say French officials]()
FCAS programme to launch Phase 2 by mid-2026, say French officials
Developed by France, Spain and Germany, the European 6th-generation combat air programme is progressing apace with new milestones expected by next year after delays to the programme.
-
![Airbus outlines Logistics Connector plan and partners with L3Harris]()
Airbus outlines Logistics Connector plan and partners with L3Harris
Airbus says it will aim to have a working prototype of the MQ-72C Logistics Connector by the end of the decade as it bids for a contract with the US Marine Corps.
