Thales Ground Observer 20 Multi-Mission (GO20 MM)

The Ground Observer 20 Multi-Mission (GO20 MM) from Thales (France) is a portable 3D ground radar with automatic classification. It detects small drones early, along with ground vehicles and people. Thales presented it in October 2021; it is designed for military use and is deployed rather than permanently installed.

The radar monitors 360 degrees. Two soldiers set it up in five minutes, and a battery set (“Six-Pack”) allows quiet long-duration operation. “Multi-Mission” means the same device watches air and ground targets, and the automatic classification assigns each echo to a target type such as drone, vehicle or person. As with any radar, detection range depends on the radar cross section of the target; a small plastic drone is picked up later than a vehicle.

Radars transmit too: in Germany every use of a frequency needs an assignment from the Bundesnetzagentur (Section 91(1) TKG). How frequency use is regulated in Poland has to be clarified with the competent authorities before deployment. 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, setup time, carrying weight and the run time of the battery set count. In battery operation, cycle count, cell condition and behaviour in cold are checkpoints; spare batteries determine how long the system can operate. The range for one’s own drone class has to be requested from the manufacturer with its radar-cross-section reference. Because of the dual role, upkeep of the classification software matters, so that drones, vehicles and people stay cleanly separated. Cameras confirm the target type.