Omega360 an innovative radar for detection and tracking of small drones

The steadily increasing number of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) commonly known as drones implies the need to detect and track them in order to avoid dangerous impacts with other flying objects and to prevent threats. A promising way for detecting, tracking and recognizing drones is to employ radar systems with a long integration time. This paper describes the performance results obtained with an innovative 2D ubiquitous radar, called Omega360, in an Outdoor Test Range sited in San Benedetto del Tronto (Italy). The ubiquity characteristic of Omega360 is obtained with a circular antenna capable of simultaneous staring beams, created by means of Digital Beam Forming, that allow to cover continuously 360 degrees in azimuth. The paper shows how the prolonged time on target provided by the staring beams permits long integration time and then the ability to detect low observability targets such as small drones in a natural environment.