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Sensor · Active radar

Obsidian

QinetiQ · United Kingdom

Obsidian is a purpose-built 3D staring radar: high-accuracy 3D position, 0.5 s update rate, minimum target speed 0.5 m/s, detection of small/micro drones to ~3.5 km in azimuth and directly overhead. Uses micro-Doppler to detect rotor blades, plus AI on the camera feed to cut false alarms. Tracks multiple simultaneous threats.

CountryUnited Kingdom
SubcategoryRadar
PriceQUOTE-BASED · prime-grade
SubtypeActive radar
Form factor3D staring radar, 3.5 km / 360 x 90 deg (7 km bubble paired); 0.5 s update, 0.5 m/s min; 100+ tracks; micro-Doppler + AI drone/bird ID
UseCounter-UAS
Type3D
SWaPRadar 800x490x565 mm, <45 kg, 500 W (100-240 VAC)
Sensor modalityActive 3D staring · micro-Doppler
Notable partnersBritish Army (deployed, ex-ALARM); Ottawa Airport/NAV CANADA/Indro Robotics trial; QinetiQ US $41M US Army DEVCOM C5ISR C-UAS order (2025)
LimitationsQinetiQ Obsidian: primary sensor is X-band staring radar, not SIGINT receiver; RF DF optional add-on
Coverage3D
MountingFixed/mast, Vehicle, Maritime
Detection modeGeolocation (TDOA/AoA)
Price bandQuote-based
Architecture3D staring radar, 0.5 s update
Output dataPosition, Velocity, Altitude, Bearing/AoA, Track ID, Classification
Frequency coverageX-band radar 10.2-10.4 GHz (FMCW)
Active/PassiveActive
Simultaneous tracks100
Detection range (km)3.5
Latency / time-to-detectTrack update ~0.5 s; initiation <2 s
Detection range (km)3.5
Environmental ratingRadar IP54 -46/+49C; PTZ camera IP66
Integration interfacesTCP/IP over Ethernet 1000 Base-T; D38999 connectors
All-weather / day-nightAll-weather, day & night
Min radial velocity (m/s)0.5
Blind to RF-silent / autonomousNo
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Review-stage catalogue data — specs corroborated from manufacturer and secondary sources; not for procurement decisions. Source: www.qinetiq.com/en-us/what-we-do/services-and-products/counter-drone-systems