Echodyne has been named as a primary radar system provider for Trust Automation’s Small-Unmanned Air Defense System platform under a $490 million contract with the U.S. Air Force.
The agreement integrates the EchoShield radar into three distinct configurations: Rapidly Deployable (RD-SUADS), Fixed Site (FS-SUADS), and Expeditionary (EX-SUADS) systems. These platforms adhere to the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) standard, with the EchoShield radars serving as the first fully integrated SOSA solution within the platform.
The RD-SUADS is a self-contained, pallet-sized system designed for military aircraft transport, while the FS-SUADS provides 360-degree security for permanent military installations. The EX-SUADS is a detection-only system designed for portability in SUVs or checked baggage.
A commercial-off-the-shelf system, EchoShield generates precise location data for various drone configurations. The radar utilizes industry-standard interfaces and recursive neural network machine learning models to classify threats and track movement, allowing for more accurate cueing of optical sensors and effectors.
Eben Frankenberg, CEO at Echodyne, said, “It is becoming more and more evident that the fidelity of radar data, its accuracy in all data dimensions, is a critical attribute of any radar system. The new table stakes for every defensive system is actionable data at the range of reaction and with the precision to consistently direct kinetic effectors onto fast, nimble, UAS threats.”
Ty Safreno, CEO at Trust Automation, Inc., added, “Integrating Echodyne’s advanced radar into our RD-SUADS, FS-SUADS, and EX-SUADS systems enhances both detection range and accuracy, enabling operators to identify threats sooner and respond with greater confidence. These systems provide agile, comprehensive C-sUAS capability that helps protect warfighters and critical facilities through elevated situational awareness.”
