The exercise tested the detection, tracking and classification of airborne objects in a civilian airport environment. It did not include weapons, jammers or other equipment for intercepting or disrupting drones.
“Several participants commented on how quickly we deployed the Quad DR 100 system,” said Stefan Blom Hansen, DR 100 product manager and leader of Kongsberg’s participation in the event. “The speed of deployment reflects the system’s inherent mobility.”
Kongsberg said the DR 100 does not filter out low-altitude targets, allowing it to detect low-flying drones that can challenge conventional radar systems. It also classifies vehicles and personnel, providing information on ground activity alongside airborne threats.
“DR 100 is designed with on-the-move capability, meaning we can detect, track and classify targets while operating from a moving platform,” Hansen said. “We are not limited to fixed positions.”
At Gardermoen, Interpol assigned the system an area of responsibility from which it supplied real-time surveillance data. The combination of rapid deployment and a secure communications link allowed operators at the control centre to receive that information as the test proceeded.
Kongsberg is working with system integrators to incorporate the DR 100 into broader counter-drone systems. These integrations support response options including small-calibre weapons, interceptor drones, radio-frequency jammers and short-range missiles.
The company makes the radar available to integrators across the market. The Gardermoen event demonstrated its sensing role, with response systems outside the scope of the test.
“The Gardermoen exercise provided an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the DR 100’s performance in a civilian environment,” said Cato Giil Eliassen, VP Business Development Seatex at Kongsberg. “As drone activity around critical infrastructure continues to increase, airports represent an important and growing use case.”
