The company has been funded by the newly formed Defence and Security Accelerator to develop a millimetre wave micro-radar to enable an Unmanned Air System (UAS) to autonomously provide resupply of equipment up to 30 km away from the front line battlefield.
The system is planned to deliver food, water, medical equipment, fuel and even mechanical parts for vehicle repair; reducing the need of travel across potentially dangerous areas and the probability of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) exposure.
The sensor has a major benefit that it can work in extreme weather environments and in both day and night, showing its future use in emergency response and disaster relief. When the risk of sending in recovery teams is high, this solution facilitates quick delivery of supplies and help, instantly reducing risk and improving outcomes during such situations.
Peter Doig, Business Manager, Plextek:, said: “The potential that this technology has will have a real impact on people’s lives, not only does it show a significant impact in the defence sector reducing danger and potential exposure to IED’s, but the benefits it could have for disaster relief, emergency response and natural disaster are really exciting. It really shows the benefits of how developments in the defence sector can have use in everyday situations.”
The sensor will be demonstrated later this year with a view to system level trials late 2018.