Drone detection and tracking system
Due to constant threat of UAV attacks, IRDE is working on a new electro-optical drone detection system. The project is independent of what other DRDO labs are doing in anti-drone warfare domain especially the recently launched D-4 System. The IRDE system will be able to detect 4-foot-long UAV flying at about 300 km/h from a distance of 3 km (1.9 mi) and a drone having a size of about 1 foot and flying at about 70 km/h from a distance of 2 km (1.2 mi). The system will integrate thermographic cameras, high-resolution video cameras, laser illuminators and laser range finders to detect and track rogue drones through electromagnetic and radio emission, reflection of microwave, infrared and visible light.
Since standalone systems and conventional air defense measures are insufficient to engage smaller drones, DRDO is planning to strengthen and build a web of network which will include multiple newly developed systems connected with the national airspace surveillance radars acting in unison for detecting, identifying, tracking and deploying anti-drone countermeasures such as soft or hard kill in case of emergency. [6]
