Defense radar – C-UAS

Radar Target Seekers

A compact, cost-effective mm-wave radar for tracking drones
— in all weather conditions, including in darkness, fog
and reduced visibility.

Built on Gapwaves’ patented Multi-Layer Waveguide technology,
already proven in large-scale production for automotive radar.

The asymmetric threat

Missile-grade seeking at drone-war prices.

Low-cost drones demand cost-effective countermeasures. They must function in darkness, fog and reduced visibility, and cannot rely on the drone revealing itself through radio communication.

Radar seekers already meet those requirements. They are the established standard in advanced guided missiles, but have been too expensive and too large for low-cost interceptors. Higher frequencies solve size. Adapting proven automotive technology solves cost. Gapwaves brings both, backed by millions of radar antennas already produced, so low-cost interceptors get the radar seeker reliability of a high-cost missile.


Key partner for C-UAS system developers and manufacturers

We partner with system integrators and prime contractors, companies that build complete interceptor or missile systems and integrate them with radar target seeker. Our technology replaces manual piloting and optical guidance with autonomous, fire-and-forget capability, at a fraction of the cost of today’s solutions. If you deliver complete counter-drone or air defense systems and want to make them more cost-effective, get in touch.

Capabilities

Something is out there.
The radar target seeker tracks it.

  • Track & acquire
    Locks on and holds track on small UAS (NATO Class I) out to 200 m and tactical UAS (NATO Class II) out to 600 m.

  • All conditions 
    Darkness, fog, smoke and reduced visibility. No reliance on the drone’s radio link.

  • Small-platform ready 
    Compact mm-wave form factor for integration into interceptors and other small platforms.

  • Seeker and proximity sensor in one
    One mm-wave unit for both guidance and proximity fuze, which reduces cost, weight and integration effort.

Engagement sequence

From cue to intercept

Your C-UAS System

1.

Detect

Your ground sensors detect the incoming drone and pass its position to the interceptor.

Your C-UAS System

2.

Launch

The interceptor is launched and closes in on the target area, ready for the seeker to take over.

Radar Target Seeker

3.

Acquire

The seeker locks on to the drone, even in darkness, fog, smoke, and reduced visibility.

Radar Target Seeker

4.

Intercept

Autonomous guidance with proximity fuze. Fire-and-forget, no pilot needed.

200 m

Track range, NATO Class I (small UAS)

600 m

Track range, NATO Class II (tactical UAS)

77 GHz

Mm-wave band for resilience

All conditions

Darkness, fog, smoke. No RF link needed
Multi-Layer Waveguide

Proven in cars. Ready for the drone fight.

Technology from automotive

Our patented MLW technology is already industrialised for 77 GHz automotive radar. Paired with an off-the-shelf automotive radar chip, it becomes a radar target seeker.

Capacity here and now

Large-scale production is already running. Our established manufacturing capability is built to ramp quickly to the volumes C-UAS will demand.

Performance in all conditions

High radar performance in a compact mm-wave package: small enough for small platforms, robust enough for darkness, fog and smoke, and independent of target’s emissions.

European supply chain

Developed and produced in Gothenburg, Sweden, backed by a robust European industrial base, ensuring quality, reliability, and long-term supply security.

Technology capabilities

Capability What it means for a seeker
Insertion loss Low loss antenna technology, so more of the signal converts to increased range
Bandwidth Full band coverage for resilience against interference
Built-in amplification MLW technology can have built-in amplifier for increased range
Phase stability Excellent dispersion and phase stability for precise angle measurement
Height profile Extremely low, fits seeker noses and small airframes
Thermal & EMC All-metal MLW construction conducts and dissipates heat well, stable across wide temperature ranges, with built-in EMC shielding
Chip interconnect Contactless transition, robust against vibration and shock
Robustness & yield Relaxed tolerances and flexible manufacturing and assembly
Quality Automated end-of-line testing of every antenna
Time-to-market Fast, built on an already industrialised platform

Request a briefing

Talk to our team about integration, evaluation units and volume production of radar target seeker for your C-UAS platform.