The more drones are used, the greater the risk of a collision. A collision warning system for drones is intended to counteract this risk. Several German and European companies have developed such a system to such an extent that the functionality of a demonstrator can be checked in flight tests this summer. Hensoldt also belongs to the group of companies. The aim is to prove that the sensor performance and the software-supported avoidance logic correspond correctly with the autopilot.
Hensoldt's AESA radar is the core element for the "Detect and Avoid" function. With the electronic beam steering (Active Electronically Scanning Array, AESA), the radar can simultaneously fulfill several detection tasks and identify targets very quickly. The radar is scalable. It can be used in both small and large drones (like the Euro drone). This radar had already been tested in flight last year in cooperation with the German Aerospace Center and Diehl Defense (ESuTreported). "In the meantime, the entire functional chain, from detection and classification to the initiation of evasive maneuvers, is working so reliably that we are certain that we will be able to demonstrate a basic system for autonomous flying in the summer," said Erwin Paulus, head of Hensoldt's radar division.
The collision warning system is being developed in connection with several study projects. This includes
- the "Project Sense and Avoid - national" (ProSA-n) funded by the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr,
- the project "Collision detection / collision avoidance for single pilot cockpit and unmanned cargo: cloud detection (KoKo II)" funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and
- the "European Detect and Avoid (DAA) function based on new sensors and processing for RPAS integration into air-traffic management" (EUDAAS) funded by the EU as part of the -European Defense Industrial Development Program (EDIDP) 2019.
Nine European companies from Sweden, Germany, France, Italy and Spain work together at EUDAAS under the coordination of Saab. In addition to Hensoldt, DLR and Diehl Defense from Germany are involved. EUDAAS is primarily aimed at integration into the Euro-MALE drone, for which 3.1 billion euros are available in Germany for development and procurement.
Gerhard Heiming
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