Echodyne partners with Axon to expand public safety drone radar capabilities

KIRKLAND, Wash.—Echodyne and Axon have partnered to support expanded use of radar in public safety drone operations, with a focus on improving low-altitude airspace awareness for law enforcement and homeland security applications.

Under the agreement, Echodyne’s radar technology will support Axon’s drone ecosystem, including its Axon Air platform and Dedrone counter-drone solutions. The companies said the collaboration is aimed at helping agencies operate drones more safely while also detecting and responding to unauthorized or potentially malicious drone activity.

Demand for greater visibility into low-altitude airspace continues to grow as Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs expand. These programs use drones to provide real-time information to responding personnel, allowing agencies to assess situations before officers arrive on scene.

Echodyne said its MESA radar is designed to provide detailed airspace data needed to support both authorized drone operations and monitoring of non-cooperative drones.

The companies said their systems are already supporting hundreds of DFR operations daily and are being deployed in additional programs.

“Radar is the cornerstone of airspace awareness, particularly in low-altitude environments where remotely piloted and increasingly autonomous drones will operate,” said Eben Frankenberg, CEO of Echodyne. “Our work with Axon is focused on delivering solutions that support public safety agencies securing communities and infrastructure.”

Eric Hertz, executive vice president of operations at Axon, said agencies are increasingly relying on drones to improve response times and coordination.

“As these programs scale, agencies need technologies that allow them to operate safely and confidently in more complex airspace environments,” he said. “We’re working with Echodyne to support infrastructure that enables the next generation of public safety drone operations.”

Photo courtesy of Echodyne