Ortana, having developed altimeters for various platforms, is becoming a C-UAS player with the compact RadOR560 4D radar unveiled during the MRBS Summit.
As a new option for C-UAS missions, Ortana is developing the RadOR560 as an ultra-light type that can be mounted on UAVs in addition to ground platforms. The radar was unveiled during the Fifth Military Radar and Border Security Summit held in Ankara, Beytepe Conference Centre.
While lightweight radar solutions have emerged in Turkiye, most of them are either too large or demand power generation that might exceed the capacity of some lightweight platforms (UGVs, smaller UAVs...) and still limit deployment count.
The firm, having developed radar altimeter solutions for various Turkish aircraft such as TUSAŞ’s T625 Gökbey utility helicopter previously, has used its know-how in small radar systems to develop the RadOR560 as a compact solution that is not only easily mountable but also demands low power.
RadOR560, measuring 190x130 mm and weighing less than a kilogram, operates in K-band against low-RCS UAVs. Thanks to the small size, the radar consumes less than 25 W of power per unit. This power consumption value, coupled with compactness, makes it possible to integrate the radar on hunter UAVs meant to intercept others.
When it comes to tracking abilities, RadOR560, with a coverage of 90 degrees of azimuth and 60 degrees of vertical coverage, can track up to 10 targets. The detection range for a 0.01 m^2 RCS target is 750 m, while it goes up to 2250 m for 1 m^2 RCS (Example: Larger kamikaze UAVs). Additionally, multiple radars can be networked for cooperative tracking/engagement.
When it comes to how the radar can be used, aside from mounting on hunter UAVs for better target acquisition performance at a distance, the small size and sufficient coverage might allow even smaller RCWS to be fitted with their own radars to help with C-UAS capabilities.
An example can be given as the US-made EchoGuard radar, which is similar to RadOR560 in concept and specifications. The radar was previously integrated on Unirobotics TRAKON 30 RCWS, as the VENOM LR 30x113 mm revolver cannon can engage UAVs with proximity-fused ammunition
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
