Laval, Quebec – – Teledyne FLIR Defense announced significant software enhancements to its Ranger radar systems, promising faster, more accurate detection capabilities for a range of critical missions globally. The upgrades, applicable to the Ranger R8-3DX and R20SS platforms, are designed to improve tracking of aerial targets, particularly unmanned aerial systems (UAS), without requiring hardware modifications.
The enhancements focus on bolstering performance in border security, force protection and counter-UAS operations, areas where rapid and reliable threat detection are paramount. According to the company, the software updates deliver earlier warning and more dependable tracking of fast-moving aerial objects.
A core component of the upgrade is “Fast Scan” technology, which dramatically increases radar rotation speeds. The R8-3DX now achieves up to 60 revolutions per minute (RPM), while the R20SS reaches 30 RPM. This represents a substantial leap from previous scan rates of approximately 8 degrees per second, allowing for more frequent updates and improved detection of rapidly moving or fleeting targets.
Beyond speed, the R8-3DX also benefits from up to 20 percent increased elevation coverage. This reduces the “cone of silence” directly above the radar, enhancing the detection of higher-altitude threats, including small drones operating beyond traditional surveillance ranges. The company emphasized that these improvements maintain sensitivity to slow-moving targets, with detection capabilities extending down to 0.1 metres per second in radial velocity, while simultaneously reducing false alarms through updated processing algorithms.
“These enhancements represent a major leap forward in radar performance,” stated Pierre Poitevin, vice president of Radar Systems at Teledyne FLIR Defense. “By increasing scan speed and vertical coverage without sacrificing accuracy, we’re giving customers the confidence and capability they need to detect targets faster.”
The Ranger radar family is designed to detect, track, and classify a diverse array of aerial threats, with a particular focus on small unmanned aircraft. The systems utilize software-defined radar processing and modular hardware, enabling performance improvements to be deployed through software updates, minimizing the need for costly and disruptive hardware replacements.
The upgrades are particularly relevant in the increasingly complex landscape of counter-drone warfare. Rapid detection and tracking are crucial for cueing interceptors or deploying electronic countermeasures, and the enhanced capabilities of the Ranger systems aim to provide operators with the necessary response time. The improvements also address challenges posed by complex environments where targets may be flying at high speed, low altitude, or amidst significant clutter.
The Ranger R8-3DX and R20SS platforms are currently deployed by a range of users, including military forces, border security agencies, and operators of critical infrastructure. While Teledyne FLIR Defense has not disclosed the precise number of systems already receiving the upgrade, the company indicated that the software updates are being rolled out globally.
The integration of AI-enabled radar processing is another key feature of the upgrade. This functionality is designed to improve target classification, reducing the workload for operators in busy environments. By automating aspects of target identification, the AI assistance allows personnel to focus on responding to genuine threats, rather than sifting through potential false positives.
The Ranger R8-3DX is capable of tracking over 500 drones simultaneously, while effectively filtering out non-threatening objects like birds. It scans its coverage area four times per second, maintaining operational effectiveness day or night in a variety of environmental conditions. The R20SS, a ground-based system, can monitor people, vehicles, and boats up to 60 kilometers away, tracking up to 512 moving targets concurrently.
The timing of these upgrades comes as the proliferation of drones continues to pose a growing security challenge worldwide. From potential misuse by criminal organizations to the threat of attacks on critical infrastructure, the need for effective counter-UAS technology is increasingly urgent. Teledyne FLIR Defense’s enhancements to the Ranger radar family represent a significant step towards addressing this evolving threat landscape.
