Key Points
- Teledyne FLIR Defense introduced software upgrades to its Ranger R8-3DX and R20SS radars, increasing scan speed and improving detection and tracking of aerial targets.
- The upgrades support border security and counter-drone missions by enabling faster 360-degree coverage and earlier threat detection without hardware changes.
Teledyne FLIR Defense said last week it has introduced major software upgrades to its Ranger radar family, improving detection speed, tracking accuracy, and performance against unmanned aerial threats, with immediate effect on systems deployed worldwide.
According to a company announcement, the upgrades apply to the Ranger R8-3DX and Ranger R20SS radar platforms, which are widely used for border security, force protection, and counter-unmanned aircraft system missions. The company said the enhancements are designed to provide earlier warning and more reliable tracking of fast-moving aerial targets.
As noted by Teledyne FLIR Defense, the updated software introduces Fast Scan technology that enables full 360-degree coverage at significantly higher rotation speeds. The Ranger R8-3DX can now operate at up to 60 revolutions per minute, while the Ranger R20SS reaches up to 30 revolutions per minute. Previous scan rates were limited to roughly 8 degrees per second, the company said.
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Teledyne FLIR Defense stated that the increased scan speed allows operators to detect threats earlier and receive higher refresh rates on tracked targets. The company said this improves situational awareness and enables more accurate target classification and engagement decisions during military and civil security operations.
“These enhancements represent a major leap forward in radar performance,” said Pierre Poitevin, vice president of Radar Systems at Teledyne FLIR Defense. “By increasing scan speed and vertical coverage without sacrificing accuracy, we’re giving customers the confidence and capability they need to detect targets faster.”
The Ranger radar family is designed to detect, track, and classify a wide range of aerial threats, including small unmanned aircraft. The systems combine software-defined radar processing with modular hardware architectures, allowing performance improvements to be delivered through software updates without replacing deployed hardware.
According to the company, the upgrades improve detection reliability in complex environments where targets may be flying at high speed, low altitude, or amid clutter. Teledyne FLIR Defense said the improvements are particularly relevant for counter-drone missions, where rapid detection and tracking are required to cue interceptors or electronic countermeasures.
The Ranger R8-3DX and R20SS platforms are deployed by military forces, border security agencies, and critical infrastructure operators. Teledyne FLIR Defense did not disclose how many systems have already received the upgrade or whether additional hardware modifications are required.
