Drone Detection Radar Expanded to Protect Shipping Lanes

Robin Radar Systems has expanded its mobile counter-drone capabilities to the maritime sector to protect shipping lanes, ports, and coastal assets from evolving aerial threats.

Recent geopolitical tensions in critical corridors like the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf have highlighted the vulnerability of international trade to low-flying unmanned systems and fixed-wing Shahed drones. To address these vulnerabilities, the updated technology adapts land-based tracking systems for complex marine environments, providing early warnings for dynamic naval operations and offshore infrastructure.

“What we are seeing globally is that the drone threat is no longer confined to the battlefield or to land-based infrastructure. Shipping lanes, ports, harbours and offshore assets are now all exposed to low-cost aerial threats that can disrupt trade, damage infrastructure and threaten civilian safety. The Strait of Hormuz has once again demonstrated how vulnerable critical maritime corridors can become during periods of instability. IRIS OTM at Sea is being designed to answer that challenge with a rapidly deployable, software-defined capability that can move seamlessly between land and sea,” said Siete Hamminga, CEO, Robin Radar Systems.

Originally engineered for land vehicles moving at speeds over 100km/h, the system utilizes advanced software enhancements to mitigate sea clutter, heavy reflections, and vessel motion. The radar can detect, track, and classify targets while operating on vessels traveling at speeds up to 54 knots. Built to withstand extreme marine environments, the hardware features salt- and corrosion-resistant engineering, resonance tolerance, and an electromagnetic compatibility compliant architecture.

Unlike conventional naval radars optimized for large ships and aircraft, this technology is purpose-built to isolate small airborne threats close to the waterline, tracking everything from hovering targets to high-speed systems traveling up to 100 meters per second. The upgrade incorporates operational insights from live-fire environments where agile, mobile sensing systems are required to counter low-altitude threats.

Vivien Croes, Chief Technical Officer at Robin Radar Systems, commented, “Modern security demands speed and flexibility. Operators need systems that can deploy quickly, integrate easily, and adapt as threats evolve. What makes this update important is that we are taking a combat-proven radar and extending its capabilities into one of the most operationally complex environments in the world. The future of counter-UAS is not static infrastructure, it is agile, mobile sensing systems capable of protecting people, critical infrastructure and global commerce wherever threats emerge.”

The maritime capability will be deployed globally via software updates to existing installations, allowing current operators to enhance their defensive capabilities without requiring hardware replacements.