Echodyne Enables Passive Active Sensor System Integration
Fort Irwin, California (Picogrid)
Echodyne actively supported the 1st Cavalry Division C-UAS training exercise at the National Training Command (NTC) October 28 to November 7, 2025 at Fort Irwin, California. The primary training objectives of the exercise included validating passive sensor integration into a layered defense framework, validating the use of UAS for ISR and targeting efforts, and evaluating sensor cueing and data transport methods to ensure real-time sensor-to-C2 connectivity in contested environments.
Echodyne’s EchoShield and EchoGuard were incorporated into multiple sensor integration experiments during the exercise to develop and refine Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) for integrating active radars into maneuver and fire operations.
During the exercise, the EchoShield, a highly portable low SWaP radar was positioned ahead of friendly formations to provide early radar tracks of aerial threats and was selectively activated based on passive sensor detection to minimize emissions and enhance survivability.
Fort Irwin, California (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Julian A. Winston)
The EchoShield integrated with R2’s ODIN passive RF sensor to enhance RF detection at altitude, persistent rear-area sensing, and communications relay, leveraging ODIN’S fully passive, spectrum-agnostic ability to detect and geolocate any RF-emitting drone or controller without generating any emissions of its own.
“The combination of R2’s passive, software-defined sensing and Echodyne’s active radar technology creates a powerful layered sensing solution for today’s complex security environment where threats increasingly exploit wireless signals, drones, spoofing, and jamming,” said Cordell Benningson, CEO of R2 Wireless.
In another training simulation, Echodyne’s short range radar, mounted to TCOM’s Falcon Tethered UAS and tracked aerial threats. The TCOM Echodyne collaboration enhanced small UAS detection capability and delivered reliable rear-area protection for the warfighter.
Fort Irwin, California (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Julian A. Winston)
“Our collaboration with Echodyne at NTC highlights how combining elevated platforms with precision radar sensors gives warfighters a decisive advantage. The Falcon Tethered UAS equipped with Echodyne’s radar provided uninterrupted coverage that enabled a more robust, layered sensing architecture, and contributed directly to enhanced survivability and mission success,” said Nigel Sutton, VP of Business Development at TCOM.
Throughout the exercise, the radar systems easily integrated with other sensor types and successfully responded to passive-to-active sensor cueing to reduce signature so forward operating warfighters could remain undetected. Echodyne’s interoperable data successfully fused with acoustic, passive and other sensors into a single-pane-of-glass Common Operational Picture (COP) using FAAD C2 and Picogrid systems.
“Ensuring we give the warfighter the most precise radar data possible and equipping them with this data quickly is critical. We were proud to support the data fusion and sensor integration work at NTC to enhance dynamic targeting, layered defense and operational flexibility,” said Jeff Phillips, VP US Gov’t Solutions (DoW/IC & Civ) at Echodyne.
Fort Irwin, California (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Julian A. Winston)
EchoShield and EchoGuard delivered highly precise detection and tracking data providing persistent surveillance of threats and enhanced layered protection, early warning and survivability to the service members in training. Echodyne radars maintained exceptional performance throughout the exercise and demonstrated the agility to rapidly adapt to shifting operational environments and new battlefield intelligence updates.