Teledyne FLIR has successfully completed the installation of a long-range drone detection system at critical infrastructure sites in Sweden. This smart system provides automatic response to identified targets. Teledyne FLIR combines radar, a thermal imaging camera, and optical sensors, ensuring no unmanned aerial system goes unnoticed. A detailed description of this fascinating project, carried out in Sweden, is brought to you by the SCANLOCK team, the distributor of FLIR products and solutions for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Drones are now commercially available, and practically anyone can purchase one. As a result, the need for effective drone detection and monitoring is becoming increasingly important, especially around critical infrastructure such as airports, military buildings, or power plants.
However, efficient and accurate drone detection is challenging. Unlike ground monitoring, the airspace poses a clear disadvantage as it is much wider, with a dome-like shape and no fixed reference points. Modern drones are small, fast, and have unpredictable flight paths. Additionally, variable weather conditions further complicate drone detection.
The project also involved CCTV-Systems, a long-term distributor and integration partner of Teledyne FLIR, which has been operating in the video monitoring systems industry since 1982. Like Teledyne FLIR, CCTV-Systems has extensive experience developing threat detection systems for industrial and security sectors worldwide.
Teledyne FLIR offers an integrated drone detection system based on radar and a combination of thermal and optical sensors. The system continuously scans the sky, detecting any drone from a long distance. Upon detection, the FLIR PTZ camera tracks the drone’s precise location, providing real-time monitoring.
“Teledyne FLIR is the only company today offering such a comprehensive integrated solution,” says Johan Eklund, CEO of CCTV-Systems AB. “The tracking system is remarkably precise and powerful. All system components have been thoroughly field-tested.”
“We couldn’t be more satisfied with our collaboration with CCTV Systems AB. They are a reliable partner,” says William Turner, Sales Manager for Teledyne FLIR in Northern Europe. “We faced the challenge of meeting the complex demands of a demanding client. This project required the highest level of technical expertise. But together with Johan and his team, we found an effective solution.”
The system includes the FLIR Ranger R8SS-3D radar. It can detect objects up to 3 kilometers away. The radar can track the paths of 500 targets (drones) simultaneously and efficiently distinguishes them from birds. It provides full hemispherical detection. The system scans the designated area four times per second and operates 24/7. It detects both aerial and ground threats in any weather conditions, day or night.
The drone detection system is complemented by the FLIR Ranger-HDC MR, a mid-range, high-resolution monitoring system. It utilizes thermal imaging technology to detect threats even in low-visibility conditions. This includes night, fog, heavy rain, or thick clouds. All captured data is monitored through FLIR’s Cameleon software platform. This platform allows operators to control the tracking system and share information with other agencies if necessary.
The project contractors required 100% accurate target recognition at a distance of 500 meters. Teledyne FLIR exceeded this required range. Additionally, it ensured that the system operates continuously over extended periods. This is crucial for critical infrastructure, where constant monitoring of potential threats is necessary.
“This system is the ideal configuration for any critical infrastructure location aiming to protect the surrounding airspace,” concludes Eklund. “The drone detection system we installed in Sweden would work perfectly anywhere in the world. It is ideal for sensitive locations such as airports, refineries, nuclear power plants, public utilities, and more.”
