Speed means survival. It’s not just a mantra, but an unforgiving truth forged repeatedly in and surrounding modern battlefields.
When General Bryan Fenton, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), recently called for faster, more agile acquisition systems, he was iterating the need to be ready for today’s fight, not tomorrow’s.
At Robin Radar, we’ve seen that need for speed and adaptability firsthand. And we responded with IRIS.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones, have revolutionized the landscape of defense, security, and warfare.
That’s why, when innovating our flagship 3D counter-UAS system, we went back to the drawing board to redefine drone radar. We didn’t fall into the trap of building for today, but instead pressed the boundaries of tech that could bend and flex with societal need.
The result: a small, deployable radar that sets up fast and performs reliably.
Mission-ready in 15 Minutes – IRIS packs down and sets up quickly with an ultra-easy mount system. Weighing in at just 64 lbs (29kg), it transports and fits easily in the back of a vehicle to deploy quickly anywhere. It’s built for teams that move light and strike fast.
Every base covered – IRIS offers total awareness. By combining 360° views, 60° elevation, and a 3-mile (5km) instrumented range, it delivers a huge 30-mile² (78km²) total coverage area.
On the move (OTM) – Mounted on vehicles, IRIS operates at speeds up to 62mph (100km/h). That means coverage while moving through rugged terrain, urban environments, or forward operating zones.
Tech that evolves – Continuous upgrades with Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) achieve smarter, faster threat detection and classification. Since introducing DNN in 2022, a machine learning technique, we’ve made significant leaps in both the classification range and sensitivity of IRIS, and we’re far from done.
And, because we know that tackling drone threats with speed and impact takes a system of sensors, we built for seamless integration. We focus on detection so that IRIS can sit at the heart of full systems as the first line of defense.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence recently placed a repeat order for 51 drone radars to support the Ukrainian frontlines. The contract was signed on August 21, 2024, at Robin Radar Systems HQ, The Hague.
The deal was made under exceptional and urgent circumstances that demanded fast delivery with a hyper-speed procurement system. There was no room for bottlenecks.
The purchase also introduced a crucial OTM functionality. Traditional radar systems are typically stationary, mounted on fixed platforms like buildings or tripods. However, OTM systems are designed to perform even when mounted on mobile objects.
Our OTM add-on enhances precision and resilience by providing agility, expanded coverage, rapid response capabilities, and adaptability. Mobile detection systems are more challenging to find and neutralise. Uninterrupted surveillance enables teams to continuously detect and take the most effective steps to disable enemy drones.
Deploying capable radar on the move requires advanced technologies that compensate for motion-induced effects, which can degrade coverage, accuracy, and line of sight. It takes careful calibration and a robust feedback loop that underscores every innovation we make.
As well as how we operate, real-world deployments, like Ukraine, guide how we innovate.
IRIS is lightweight, built to integrate and perform at pace, but we also spared no effort in ensuring unparalleled accuracy. IRIS can detect, track and classify small drones equally well under the cover of darkness, and micro-Doppler even enables the detection of fixed-wing and hovering drones.
When the stakes are high, there’s no room for second-guessing. Every second counts. Every action has consequences, and every decision requires precision.
That’s why, for SOF, speed is not just desirable, it’s essential. Operations are rarely undertaken in predictable environments. Weather, terrain, and hostile threats are pitted against mission success, testing even the most sophisticated technologies. And it’s crucial that they reach the frontlines quickly.
In April, General Bryon Fenton stood before the House Armed Services Committee's intelligence and special operations forces subcommittee. He issued a stark warning not only about the pace of warfare itself, but also the effects of procurement processes that cannot keep up.
He stated, "The character of war is changing faster than we've ever seen. The innovation cycle now turns in days and weeks, not months and years” [..]
"It requires tough choices, forcing trade-offs, as we strive to balance an increase in operations readiness and the need for modernization".