Robin Radar and TNO to develop airborne radar for ground surveillance and search-and-rescue

Robin Radar Systems today announces the signing of a strategic partnership with TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, to jointly develop and industrialise a new airborne radar platform designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and search-and-rescue missions for defence, security, emergency response and government users. At a time when situational awareness in complex and degraded environments is becoming increasingly critical.

The project builds on years of collaborative research and development within the Dutch defence innovation ecosystem through the Multi-function Radar Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (MRaISR) programme.

Under the new partnership, Robin Radar will lead the productisation and commercial development of the radar system, building on foundational research and system concepts developed by TNO into an operational capability for defence, security, emergency response and government users.

Designed to be deployed aboard large unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), the new radar functions as a sophisticated airborne imaging sensor capable of building detailed pictures of activity on the ground and sea across large areas and in challenging operating conditions. Unlike traditional optical cameras, radar-based imaging can remain effective in darkness, adverse weather, smoke, dust and other harsh environments where visual sensors become limited.

The system incorporates multiple operational modes, including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging, Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI), and Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR), allowing operators to detect, track and analyse activity across complex environments while maintaining long-range situational awareness. These modes will all be processed on-board, solving the usual bottleneck of data transmission often seen with these systems.

The partnership represents a significant expansion of Robin Radar’s technology portfolio beyond airspace surveillance and counter-UAS applications, leveraging the company’s expertise in radar engineering, manufacturing and software development to bring a new generation of airborne sensing capabilities to market.
As part of the agreement, Robin Radar will work closely with TNO to further mature the platform, optimise its performance for deployment on unmanned aircraft, and prepare the system for future operational users.

About Robin Radar

Robin Radar Systems protects people, wildlife, and infrastructure by empowering teams in defense, security, aviation, and ecology with a complete view of their airspace. Trusted by NATO, government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and integration partners worldwide, Robin is a global leader in radar technology for the detection of small flying objects such as birds and drones.

Headquartered in The Hague with a U.S. office in Virginia, the company blends 40+ years of radar expertise with a culture of continuous innovation to deliver the unique combination of 360° situational awareness, 3D insight, and seamless interoperability within wider security architectures.

Its flagship radar, IRIS, is regarded as the gold standard in 3D, 360° drone detection, providing actionable intelligence, rapid deployment, unrivalled accuracy, and seamless integration across wider counter-UAS ecosystems. Multiple IRIS radars can also be interconnected, allowing up to four systems to operate in harmony to extend coverage and strengthen persistent airspace awareness across larger operational environments.

About IRIS

Robin Radar’s IRIS is a purpose-built 3D drone-detection radar capable of detecting small, fast, and low-flying drones including FPV drones and fixed-wing threats while distinguishing them from birds and other airborne objects, drawing on Robin Radar’s heritage in bird-strike prevention.

IRIS secures the crucial 2–7 km medium-range CUAS layer and includes a Long Range Mode extending its instrumented range to 12 km. Designed for rapid deployment, mobility, and seamless integration into multi-sensor CUAS architectures, IRIS can also be interconnected with up to four radar systems operating simultaneously to deliver enhanced coverage, persistent tracking, and greater situational awareness across wider areas.

IRIS is now one of Europe’s most widely adopted off-the-shelf counter-drone radars.

About TNO

TNO is the largest independent research and technology organization in the Netherlands and one of the largest in the EU. We innovate, investigate, and orchestrate, collaborating closely with governments, universities and the private sector.

We inform government on policies and empower evidence-based decision-making through rigorous investigations, cutting-edge scientific insights, and reliable measurements. By building national and international consortia and ecosystems, we drive technological and methodological breakthroughs that help to realise a secure, sustainable, healthy, and digital society, and strengthen the earning power of the Dutch economy.