At the recent Thunderstruck C-UAS exercise hosted by the Oklahoma National Guard (OKNG), Echodyne demonstrated the critical role of its radar technology in enhancing battlefield decision-making. The event, held at Camp Gruber, brought together hundreds of personnel to train on counter-drone technologies and develop expertise for modern threats.
The OKNG is spearheading innovation through its C-UAS School and Launched Effects Alliance, focusing on collaborative efforts with industry and academic partners to counter the full spectrum of aerial threats.
During the exercise, Echodyne’s radar systems were integrated into realistic training scenarios, including an enemy ISR and friendly maneuver drill. The company’s two-tiered radar solution provided seamless, persistent airspace awareness:
- The long-range EchoShield radar detected and tracked incoming aerial threats at a distance.
- As threats advanced, target data was handed off to the short-range, highly portable EchoGuard radar to protect troops and base assets.
This precision radar data directly cued kinetic defeat systems to neutralize drones and provided a enhanced common operating picture for commanders. The system proved vital in a troop insertion scenario, allowing leaders to accurately track Chinook aircraft and make timely decisions to protect exposed soldiers upon landing.
Echodyne’s track data—including target size, distance, and speed—was seamlessly fed into the Tactical Awareness Kit (TAK) via a network provided by partners TrellisWare and Persistent Systems. This integration enabled warfighters to maintain persistent situational awareness and accelerate operational decisions.
“We are proud to contribute to OKNG’s growing and active drone readiness program,” said Jeff Phillips, VP of DOD/IC Sales at Echodyne. The successful demonstration underscores how integrated radar systems are becoming a foundational element of effective C-UAS operations for the future fight.
