Patria has secured an agreement with an unnamed European NATO country to provide its MUSCL passive radar technology for aerial surveillance. The system is intended to identify and follow drones and aircraft, while the delivery package will include multiple sensor stations, spare equipment, technical assistance and operator training. The number of systems, financial value and identity of the NATO customer have not been released. Patria said the package is structured to support rapid deployment and the development of the customer’s operational capability. How MUSCL WorksMUSCL is a mobile passive radar that exploits signals already present in the environment rather than generating its own radar transmissions. Broadcast signals are used as illuminators, allowing the system to detect and track airborne objects without revealing itself through conventional active radar emissions. The absence of an active radar transmission makes MUSCL difficult for an opposing force to detect. The characteristic can be valuable when monitoring areas where maintaining a low electromagnetic signature is important. Patria also states that the system can detect and track challenging targets, including low-flying aircraft and stealth-related threats. A single MUSCL station can conduct surveillance independently, while several stations can be networked to establish broader coverage. A networked configuration can deliver 360-degree monitoring over distances that may reach hundreds of kilometres. The system is designed for rapid installation and can be deployed in mobile or permanent configurations. It can also be linked with command-and-control networks, allowing its data to contribute to wider air-surveillance architectures. Potential missions include drone detection, airspace surveillance, critical infrastructure security and border monitoring.
