Advanced Protection Systems (APS) FIELDctrl Range

The FIELDctrl Range from Advanced Protection Systems (APS), a manufacturer from Poland, is a radar panel for drone detection over large areas. The manufacturer names airports, ports and industrial sites as typical locations. Its target class is micro UAVs, meaning small quadcopters and similarly small aircraft. The panel is built into APS SKYctrl L.

The detection range is 5 km against a target with a radar cross section (RCS) of 0.01 m² and 9 km against a target of 0.1 m². Without that reference the figure would mean little, because range depends strongly on radar cross section. The 3D MIMO FMCW radar works in the X-band at 9.7 to 10 GHz and covers 90 degrees horizontally; in elevation it opens only 30 degrees. It is therefore aimed at targets at longer range and moderate altitude, not at the airspace directly above it. 31.4 kg, 80 W and IP66/67 (dust-tight, protected against water jets) are values for continuous outdoor operation.

Radars transmit themselves: in Germany every use of a frequency needs an assignment from the Bundesnetzagentur (Section 91(1) TKG). The corresponding question for Poland has to be clarified with the competent authorities before deployment. Other radars and radio services operate at airports and in ports, so frequency planning belongs in the project plan. The radar detects and tracks; jammers may be operated only by authorities in Germany and Poland (Section 91 TKG, Article 42 of the Polish Electronic Communications Law).

In selection, target size and site decide: 5 km applies to 0.01 m², 9 km to 0.1 m², and all-round cover only arises from several 90-degree panels. In ports and on industrial sites, cranes, containers and metal halls create multipath echoes; mounting height and the clutter of the surroundings count for more than extra range. A panel without a rotating antenna has no drive wear; seals, connectors, mounts and the firmware version need checking.