Telemachus: Hellenic Aerospace Industry’s cutting-edge radar that detects mini drones at ground-hugging altitudes

Babis Papaspyros

In an era where warfare is increasingly shaped by asymmetric tactics and technological innovation, the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) has introduced a game-changing solution: the FMCW/Doppler radar system known as Telemachus. This advanced anti-drone radar stands out globally for its rare ability to detect miniature FPV drones flying as low as 0.5 meters above ground level, even in complex urban environments.

Why Telemachus Matters

• Unmatched Low-Altitude Detection: Most conventional radar systems struggle to identify drones flying close to the ground, especially in cluttered urban terrain. Telemachus excels in this niche, offering reliable detection of drones that operate just half a meter above the surface.
• Detects small, silent, RF-emission-free and fiber optic guided drones at ultra-low altitudes.
• Designed for Swarm Threats: With the rise of autonomous FPV drone swarms, like those used in Ukraine’s recent “Spiderweb” operation, traditional air defense systems have proven inadequate. Telemachus is engineered to counter precisely these kinds of threats .
• Multi-Role Integration: It can be deployed across airports, military bases, and critical infrastructure, working in tandem with kinetic systems (e.g., machine guns or anti-aircraft weapons) to neutralize incoming drones.
• Modular, Affordable, and Jammer-Equipped

Telemachus is built on an open architecture, allowing seamless integration with any command-and-control or defense system. Its lightweight design, low cost, and mobility make it ideal for rapid deployment in both fixed and tactical scenarios. Recently, HAI has enhanced the system with an electronic jammer, enabling it not only to detect but also to disrupt and neutralize hostile drones by interfering with their communication and navigation systems.

Few radar systems worldwide can match Telemachus’s performance in detecting small, silent, RF-emission-free and fiber optic guided drones at ultra-low altitudes. This makes it a strategic asset not just for Greece, but potentially for any nation facing the growing menace of drone-based attacks in urban or semi-urban settings.

Greece’s Strategic Opportunity

Telemachus isn’t just a technological marvel, it’s  a symbol of Greece’s potential leadership in next-generation anti-drone systems . As drone threats become more frequent and sophisticated, investing in systems like Telemachus is no longer optional. It’s essential.

P. S

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