Plextek defense integrates miniature radar in drones to detect hostile drones

Defense technology experts, Plextek-DTS (Defence Technology Solutions) have been awarded two contracts as part of the £2 million Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition to develop new capabilities that can detect, disrupt, and defeat the hostile and malicious use of drones.

The first project focuses on the development of innovative signal detection and jamming capabilities to detect and defeat hostile drones while ensuring that non-hostile systems in the vicinity are not affected. The second project focuses on the development of a miniature radar that can be integrated into airborne drones in order to detect, track and accurately target hostile drones.

The competition run by DASA – the UK MoD’s innovation hub – on behalf of Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), is the latest stage in DSTL’s ongoing research program into countering unmanned air systems (UAS). The competition is also supported by the Department for Transport and NATO to counter the rapidly evolving threats from UAS.

Founded in September 2019, Plextek-DTS was created as a spin out of the Cambridge-based RF specialist, Plextek to help government agencies, defense suppliers and military stakeholders find new technology exploitation paths to support UK forces. Building on the successful growth of parent company’s defense market over 30 years, Plextek DTS aims to further grow and develop trusted technology partnerships through specialist R&D support, technology exploitation and design partner services, including system supply and manufacture.