MSPO 2026: Kongsberg selects Echodyne radar for Protector C-UAV weapon stations

A Echodyne EchoShield radar (to right of main optical sensor) integrated onto a Kongsberg RS6 RWS. (Echodyne)

Echodyne and Kongsberg are integrating Echodyne's solid-state radars across Kongsberg's Protector remote weapon station (RWS) portfolio, the companies announced at the MSPO 2026 exhibition, held in Kielce, Poland from 8-11 September.

According to a joint announcement published on 9 September, the agreement is focused on the integration of Echodyne's EchoShield metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA) radar with a range of air and surface applications, with Kongsberg's RS4 and RS6 RWSs “among the first use cases”.

The offering is intended to support precision-tracking of targets as part of counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) missions, the statement said.

“The result is a scalable approach for adding high-fidelity detection, tracking and targeting data to static, crewed and uncrewed platforms without the size, weight and power demands traditionally associated with high-performance electronically scanned array radar,” the statement said.

Speaking to Janes at MSPO 2026, Eben Frankenberg, CEO of Echodyne, explained how integration of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-free MESA radars will provide Protector RWSs with the “precise, stable and persistent tracks needed to cue the fire-control system, sustain target lock and act decisively against fast-moving, low-signature drone threats”.

He added that more precise radar tracks of aerial threats could enhance the performance of programmable airburst ammunition, suggesting that the restricted field-of-view of legacy electro-optical (EO) cameras used in fire control can sometimes fail to accurately track fast-moving UAVs such as first person view (FPV) types.

A search radar or other sensor can initially cue the radar-equipped RWS, after which the local MESA radar refines and sustains the track for the fire-control system. Accurate range and range-rate data are useful for timing programmable airburst ammunition.