Spyglass seeks to enhance short-range drone detection
New solid-state radar employs Ku-band phased array technology to detect small UAVs.
Numerica on 18 February launched a new solid-state 3D radar called Spyglass for C-UAS and short-range air defence missions.
The company worked with fellow US-based firms Liteye and NEOTech on development of Spyglass. Liteye will be the exclusive distributor of the radar.
According to Numerica, the simultaneous transmit and receive design of Spyglass offers an advantage over traditional pulse Doppler radar technology, which can fail to detect close-range threats.
‘Spyglass was born out of our first-hand experience with gaps in the short-range radar market,’ said Nate Knight, VP of air and missile defence at Numerica. ‘The rapidly-growing autonomous drone threat presented an opportunity to turn our attention to building a new radar from the ground up… [by] applying our proven radar processing and tracking technologies in new ways.’
The vehicle-mounted Spyglass employs Ku-band phased array technology for highly precise measurements, with the aim of improving targeting and classification performance at longer ranges and providing critical time for decision making and threat mitigation.
The short-range radar is designed to locate and track small UAS at ranges beyond 3.5km. Advanced signal processing algorithms and autonomy extend the detection range of the 3D radar.
With embedded C2 and AI software, Spyglass is designed to enable broad-area autonomous sensor networks. Software-defined operating modes enable rapid customisation to specific mission requirements.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool]()
Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool
Nomad can provide militaries with real-time intelligence, saving critical time on the battlefield.
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
