Kongsberg Integrates Echodyne Radar for Counter-Drone

Kongsberg has chosen Echodyne's MESA radar platform for integration into its PROTECTOR remote weapon stations. The move aims to turn the widely deployed weapon stations into effective counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) effectors, according to an announcement from Echodyne.

Echodyne CEO Eben Frankenberg stated the integration gives the PROTECTOR family the precise tracking needed to act against fast-moving, low-signature drone threats. He emphasized that the radar's compact, software-defined design allows it to scale across a large installed base.

The selection pairs Kongsberg's weapon-station architecture with Echodyne's solid-state radar. This creates a scalable method for adding high-fidelity detection and targeting data to various platforms without traditional size and power demands.

Precision Radar for Fire Control

Radar track quality is fundamental to effective fire control. Echodyne's low-SWaP MESA radar supplies high-fidelity range, range-rate, bearing and kinematic data while maintaining track stability.

This data is needed to compute and execute a firing solution. By cueing the optical fire-control system onto a target, the radar helps the weapon station hold lock longer and shorten the detection-to-engagement timeline.

The precision is particularly important when PROTECTOR systems use programmable airburst munitions. Accurate range and range-rate measurements support the timing needed to place the munition's effect at the correct point in the target's flight path.

In networked operations, a cooperative search radar can pass a threat track to the radar-equipped remote weapon station. The local MESA radar then refines and sustains the track for fire-control use. This search-cue-track-engage workflow allows distributed systems to share the air picture and assign targets.

Multi-Year Field Validation

Echodyne and Kongsberg have spent multiple years integrating, testing and demonstrating the radar-enabled solution. This aligns with Kongsberg's philosophy to prove capability in the field.

Beyond the PROTECTOR integrations, the companies are exploring additional uses for high-performance radar across air and surface missions within the Kongsberg portfolio. They expect to continue joint technical work focused on resilient sensing and networked fire control.

The companies will exhibit at the 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, Poland, from September 8 to 11, 2026.