South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development has successfully tested AI-based photonic radar technology capable of detecting small drones several kilometres away.
The test, which was conducted at the Agency for Defense Development’s (ADD’s) Sejong Electronic Test Site on April 17, is the first time a photonic radar system has been demonstrated in Korea in an outdoor environment. During the test, the system identified small aircraft that are difficult to detect with existing optical equipment such as cameras.
Photonic radar generates and processes electromagnetic waves using laser light and can be used to detect and identify small aircraft, such as drones. The ADD’s system uses AI-algorithms to analyse the signals reflected from the target and confirm the presence and identity of the target.
Researchers also believe photonic radar’s capabilities could exceed the range and resolution of current RF-based radar technology, create better 3D images of targets, and be used to detect stealth aircraft.
South Korea’s ADD has been developing AI-based photonic radar technology since 2022. Other defence research agencies around the world are also believed to be developing the technology, notably the US Navy’s BEYOND project.
The ADD said that research around the world has verified the possibility of identification using simulations, and its recent test is the first time an aircraft has been successfully identified in an actual environment.
The defence agency said it plans to conduct further R&D on AI-based photonic radar technology, conduct combat experiments, and continue follow-up tasks to develop a related defense industry ecosystem.
Jeong Seong-tae, head of the 3rd Technology Research Institute of ADD said: “I am very pleased that ADD’s AI-based optical radar technology has demonstrated outstanding performance in real environments.
“We will work to further develop this technology so that it can provide innovative solutions in the K-defense surveillance and reconnaissance field.”
