The company said the innovation was developed and stress-tested through multiple IRIS deployments in Ukraine, where fixed wing drones and Shahed loitering munitions pose near-daily threats to critical infrastructure. The upgrade is intended to provide Ukrainian forces with an extended early warning window to prepare for incoming drones travelling at over 180 km/h (111 mph).
“This upgrade isn’t just about range—it’s about time. Every extra kilometer of detection gives defenders more precious seconds to react, more chances to protect critical infrastructure, and ultimately, more lives saved. By delivering this leap forward entirely through software, we’re showing how the decisive edge in counter-drone defence is no longer just built—it’s coded,” said Kristian Brost, General Manager, Robin Radar USA.
The software-only update makes IRIS one of the first off-the-shelf radars proven to detect and classify Shahed drones at long distances, according to Robin Radar. The system remains lightweight and designed for integration into multi-sensor counter-UAS architectures while maintaining high accuracy.
Robin Radar highlighted that the update was shaped by direct feedback from Ukrainian operators, which was fed into the development cycle to accelerate deployment. The company said the rapid innovation reflects the urgent need for adaptive solutions in high-pressure environments.
“This upgrade marks a step-change in what counter-drone radar can achieve,” said Siete Hamminga, CEO, Robin Radar Systems. “By listening to our users on the frontline, we’ve redefined the capabilities of an off-the-shelf system, delivering a battlefield-proven solution that is now being made available worldwide. As software continues to transform defence, it’s our every intention that Robin Radar will hold its position at the forefront of innovation.”
Robin Radar added that the battlefield-tested technology can also be rolled out to critical government agencies, including European Ministries of Defence and Interior and the US Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology. The company stressed that “every second counts” in counter-drone defence and that its priority remains to provide advanced radar as the first line of protection.
