Blighter radars to form part of UK laser anti-drone system
The A800 can detect air, land and sea targets within the operation region of the Laser Directed Energy Weapon. (Photo: Blighter Surveillance Systems)
Two Blighter A800 radars will be deployed alongside a Raytheon UK vehicle-mounted counter-UAS laser in a demonstrator programme for the UK MoD.
Blighter Surveillance Systems has been awarded a contract to supply A800 multi-mode 3D e-scan radars to Raytheon UK for the MoD’s Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) project.
The radars will form part of a demonstrator system using a Raytheon-manufactured laser for neutralising small UAS.
Two A800 units will be used for target detection and direction of the laser. The effector will be vehicle-mounted, with the ground-based radars located nearby.
Related Articles
Ukraine to receive ‘significant number’ of Blighter C-UAS radars
Raytheon to upgrade Phalanx CIWS for South Korea
Dragonfire illuminates the way forward for UK laser weapons
Blighter will work on system design and developing a concept of operations and support during the trials, which will take place at a UK MoD range.
The A800 is designed for integration with new and existing C2 systems. According to the company, it offers the multi-mode surveillance capability of large-scale radar systems in a smaller package with a 20km range.
The A800 can detect air, land and sea targets within the operating region of the LDEW, using clutter filters to simplify the test regime.
Blighter CEO James Long said the project ‘will demonstrate how our cutting-edge A800 e-scanning radar can operate in synchronicity with next-generation technology to provide the edge on the battlefield’.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Poland land systems focus: €31 billion spending drive boosts domestic production ambitions]()
Poland land systems focus: €31 billion spending drive boosts domestic production ambitions
Poland’s potential €53 billion land procurement pipeline could give it one of Europe’s largest armoured vehicle fleets, with local production, technology transfer and future exports central to the strategy.
-
![Clearer military requirements could unlock UGV market growth]()
Clearer military requirements could unlock UGV market growth
Western armies continue to test uncrewed ground vehicles, but wider procurement will depend on turning ambitions for autonomy into defined operational roles and funded requirements.
-
![Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?]()
Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
-
![A medium UGV market emerges as the US weighs up its options]()
A medium UGV market emerges as the US weighs up its options
The US is pursuing multiple UGV programmes, from commercial robotic platforms to new autonomy technologies. The combination of these efforts could prove key to turning ambition into operational capability.
-
![NATO looks for answers to overcome standards hurdles and improve procurement]()
NATO looks for answers to overcome standards hurdles and improve procurement
NATO is looking to artificial intelligence to provide integration between different C2 systems to create a common operational picture, potentially offering a faster route to interoperability than the slow-moving processes of NATO standards committees.
