New radar is the Coastmaster of all it surveys, says Thales
Thales is targeting the huge potential for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for coastal surveillance in Southeast Asia by offering a compact, lightweight ra

Thales is targeting the huge potential for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for coastal surveillance in Southeast Asia by offering a compact, lightweight radar system called the Coastmaster. The UK group’s aerospace division developed the 66-pound system from the ground surveillance radar being fitted to the British Army’s Watchkeeper UAVs. (Helicopters and small manned aircraft could also carry the new radar.)

“This radar is particularly suitable for the detection of small, fast-moving targets in estuarine regions and those with a large number of islands and waterways,” said James Lazell, Thales UK’s program manager for UAVs. “The applications include anti-drug trafficking, counterterrorism and the protection of valuable maritime assets such as offshore oil rigs, ecological zones and fisheries,” he added.