Arbe Alerion

History

Arbe Alerion is a compact ultra-high-resolution 4D imaging radar developed in Israel for counter-unmanned aircraft system applications. It is designed to detect and continuously track small aerial targets including FPV drones, mini drones, autonomous aircraft, and fiber-optic-controlled drones.

The radar detects the physical aircraft from reflected radar energy rather than relying on interception of a radio-frequency control signal. This allows it to track autonomous and fiber-optic-controlled aircraft that can operate without an active radio command link.

Arbe Robotics introduced Alerion in September 2026 as the company's entry into defense and homeland-security counter-drone sensing. The system had already completed field testing for defense applications and was undergoing evaluation by counter-UAS integrators.

Development

Alerion adapts Arbe's ultra-high-resolution radar technology, originally developed for automotive sensing, to the detection of small airborne targets. The counter-UAS application places particular emphasis on angular resolution, Doppler information, target separation, and operation against buildings, terrain, vegetation, and other sources of clutter.

The radar was developed for low, slow, and small targets that can present limited radar returns and may fly close to terrain or structures. Alerion is intended to maintain a track through the final approach to a protected asset, including low-altitude flight, complex maneuvers, hovering, and operation near trees, buildings, and ground clutter.

A public demonstration of Alerion was scheduled for the Counter UAS Homeland Security Europe event in London on 23–24 September 2026.

Design

Alerion is a solid-state 4D imaging radar with no mechanically scanning parts. Its sensing architecture provides measurements in range, azimuth, elevation, and Doppler velocity, producing dense radar data that can be used for target tracking, clustering, classification, and false-target filtering.

Radar architecture

The radar uses a 48-transmitter by 48-receiver architecture providing 2,304 virtual channels. The resulting spatial detail is intended to distinguish small drones from birds, vehicles, buildings, vegetation, and other nearby objects in complex environments.

Because detection is based on radar reflections from the aircraft itself, the system does not require a target to transmit telemetry or command signals. This is particularly relevant to fiber-optic-controlled and autonomous drones, as well as other aircraft operating without detectable radio-frequency control links.

Alerion is designed to maintain continuous tracking from initial detection to minimum range. Its processing supports separation of aerial targets from background clutter and can provide precise cueing information to complementary sensors and effectors.

Integration

Alerion is intended to operate as a sensing layer within a wider multi-sensor counter-UAS architecture rather than as a complete detection-and-defeat system. Its structured radar outputs can support sensor fusion, command-and-control integration, and slew-to-cue functions for electro-optical and infrared sensors or counter-UAS effectors.

The platform supports modular coverage configurations from 120 degrees to 360 degrees. This allows focused sectors or layered coverage around critical infrastructure, military facilities, mobile formations, and other protected areas.

The radar can also detect relevant movement at ground level, allowing the same sensing system to contribute additional situational information around a protected site.

Installation

The radar unit measures 135 × 103 × 42 mm and consumes 28 W. Its compact solid-state architecture is intended for fixed installations, vehicle-mounted systems, mobile defense units, portable systems, temporary deployments, and distributed perimeter installations.

The specified operating temperature range is −40°C to +70°C. With no moving scanning components, the design is intended to reduce mechanical complexity for vehicle-mounted and mobile deployment.

Alerion is designed to continue radar detection when optical visibility is degraded by darkness, rain, fog, dust, or smoke. Complementary electro-optical or infrared sensors can then be directed toward a smaller search volume for identification or engagement.

Program status

By September 2026, Alerion had completed field testing for defense applications. Counter-UAS integrators were evaluating the radar, but no production quantities, operational operators, or major procurement programs had been announced in the available information.

The system was therefore at the integration and evaluation stage rather than confirmed operational service. Its field performance depends on installation geometry, target characteristics, coverage configuration, surrounding clutter, processing parameters, and integration with the wider counter-UAS system.

Specifications (Alerion C-UAS radar)

General characteristics

• Type: Ultra-high-resolution solid-state 4D imaging radar
• Role: Detection and tracking of small unmanned aircraft
• Dimensions: 135 × 103 × 42 mm
• Power consumption: 28 W
• Operating temperature: −40°C to +70°C
• Scanning architecture: Solid-state, with no moving parts
• Transmitter and receiver architecture: 48 transmitters × 48 receivers
• Virtual channels: 2,304
• Coverage configurations: Modular 120° to 360°

Detection and processing

• Radar dimensions: Range, azimuth, elevation, and Doppler
• Target types: FPV drones, mini drones, autonomous drones, and fiber-optic-controlled drones
• Processing functions: Tracking, clustering, classification, and false-target filtering
• Integration functions: Sensor fusion, command-and-control integration, and slew-to-cue support for complementary sensors and effectors
• Additional sensing: Detection of relevant ground-level movement