– Teledyne FLIR Defense has introduced major software upgrades to its Ranger radar systems, improving detection speed, accuracy, and early warning for critical missions worldwide. The enhancements apply to the Ranger R8-3DX and Ranger R20SS, widely used for border security, force protection, and counter-UAS operations.
The update adds Fast Scan technology, enabling 360-degree coverage at up to 60 RPM for the R8-3DX and 30 RPM for the R20SS—far faster than the previous 8 degrees per second. The result is earlier threat alerts, higher refresh rates, and more precise tracking, even for fast-moving targets.
The R8-3DX also gains up to 20% more elevation coverage, shrinking the radar’s “cone of silence” and improving detection of high-altitude threats such as drones. Proprietary algorithms preserve sensitivity to low-speed targets—down to 0.1 m/s radial velocity—while reducing false alarms and operator workload. AI-enabled processing further improves target classification accuracy.
“These enhancements represent a major leap forward in radar performance,” said Pierre Poitevin, vice president of Radar Systems at Teledyne FLIR Defense. “By increasing scan speed and vertical coverage without sacrificing accuracy, we’re enabling customers to detect threats faster and more reliably. Our patented Fast Scan technology ensures even low-speed drone threats won’t go undetected, making it especially valuable for environments like prison airspace where rapid detection is critical.”
Source: Teledyne FLIR Defense