Echodyne Receives DHS S&T Funding to Test C-UAS Application of MESA Radar

Echodyne has secured $454,099 in funding from the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate to explore new use cases for its Metamaterials Electronically Scanning Array radar.

The Phase 5 Other Transaction Agreement funding was awarded under the Silicon Valley Innovation Program, which aims to leverage commercial technologies for homeland security use cases, DHS S&T said Thursday.

Designed for a variety of border security applications, the MESA radar is now going to be tested for use in counter-unmanned aircraft systems scenarios, according to SVIP Transition Director Ron McNeal.

Moving forward, DHS S&T will integrate MESA with other sensors into a system of systems to evaluate its ability to detect and track small drones.

The Bellevue, Washington-based startup has been part of the SVIP program since 2016. That year, Echodyne received an initial $118,721 award to help border patrol agents better monitor activities at the nation’s borders.

Radars developed then by the startup were meant to be mounted on small drones and autonomous vehicles for navigational purposes but can also be installed in fixed positions for border security surveillance.

Also included in the 2016 SVIP class were Goleta Star, a Los Angeles-based startup with expertise in video radar technology, and Shield AI, a San Diego-based startup specializing in artificial intelligence and intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance systems.