How does a wide beam Laser Rangefinder enhance a Counter-UAV System?

The growing use of drones has created an urgent need for effective Counter-UAV (CUAV) systems. A key requirement for these systems is the ability to track drones accurately in real time to predict their flight paths and enable mitigation actions. Integrating a wide-divergence Laser Rangefinder (LRF) into electro-optical pan-and-tilt systems significantly enhances drone tracking by increasing the beam area, which increases the likelihood of successfully targeting the drone.

The Importance of Real-Time Drone Tracking

While a pan-and-tilt system equipped with a camera can identify drones, it lacks the ability to provide precise real-time 3D position data without an advanced position finding solution. This capability is essential for calculating the drone’s trajectory and predicting its movements. A LRF, with its near-instantaneous measuring times and high-frequency updates, effectively addresses this need.

Advantages of LRF 6742 (wide divergence LRF)

• Enhanced Drone Acquisition
  The wide beam divergence of 3 mrad significantly expands the effective targeting area, overcoming the limitations of traditional LRFs with narrow beam divergence. This wider beam facilitates targeting and tracking of moving drones, offering a larger coverage area than standard LRFs. The LRF 6742 enables reliable tracking of small UAVs within a range of 1–2 km, the optimal distance for effective mitigation.
• High Real-time Accuracy
  With a measurement precision of ±1 meter, the system ensures accurate calculation of the drone’s position. Its customizable measurement frequencies make it ideal for fast and continuous flight path prediction.
• Optimized for Bright Skies
  Tracking drones against a bright sky is challenging due to interference from ambient light. The LRF 6742’s optics are specifically optimized for such conditions, ensuring consistent and reliable performance.
• Customizable Measurement Frequencies
  Operating the LRF at frequencies between 5–10 Hz (customizable) ensures a sufficient number of measurement results to accurately determine the drone’s flight trajectory, enabling effective and proactive countermeasures.
• Continuous 24/7 Operation
  The LRF 6742 is designed for uninterrupted operation, making it a reliable solution for round-the-clock drone tracking and mitigation efforts.

The LRF 6742’s wide beam divergence simplifies targeting, while its high measurement accuracy and robust performance against bright skies enhance operational reliability. When integrated with an electro-optical pan-and-tilt system, it provides an ideal solution for real-time tracking and trajectory calculation. Furthermore, its wide beam makes it well-suited for various applications beyond Counter-UAV systems, such as search and rescue operations at sea or in mountain regions, where such capabilities are highly beneficial.