Speaking at the Counter UAS Technology Europe 2026 conference, Echodyne has confirmed that its EchoShield radar has been selected as the primary sensing system for Trust Automation’s Small-Unmanned Air Defense System, a counter-drone platform being delivered to the U.S. Air Force under a $490 million indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract awarded in August 2025.
The SUADS family includes three configurations designed for different operational needs. The Rapidly Deployable variant is a self-contained system built for transport on military aircraft, while the Fixed Site version is intended for permanent installations and can operate independently or as part of a wider network. A third, Expeditionary variant is a detection-only system designed for transport in standard vehicle cases for use in austere environments.
All three platforms are aligned with the Sensor Open Systems Architecture standard, enabling modular integration and future upgrades. Echodyne’s EchoShield is described as the first fully integrated SOSA-compliant radar within the SUADS system.
EchoShield is a commercial-off-the-shelf, medium-range radar designed to provide precise tracking data across a range of drone types. It uses machine learning to classify airborne objects and supports integration with sensors and effectors, helping reduce response times in counter-drone operations.
Eben Frankenberg, CEO of Echodyne, said: “It is becoming more and more evident that the fidelity of radar data, its accuracy in all data dimensions, is a critical attribute of any radar system. The new table stakes for every defensive system is actionable data at the range of reaction and with the precision to consistently direct kinetic effectors onto fast, nimble, UAS threats.”
Ty Safreno, CEO of Trust Automation, added: “Integrating Echodyne’s advanced radar into our RD-SUADS, FS-SUADS and EX-SUADS systems enhances both detection range and accuracy, enabling operators to identify threats sooner and respond with greater confidence. These systems provide agile, comprehensive C-sUAS capability that helps protect warfighters and critical facilities through elevated situational awareness.”
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Post Image Credit: Echodyne
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