O.W.L. Announces Athena-MDR Drone Verification Radar

Unlike Other Sensors Limited by Weather, Lighting, or the Presence (or Lack) of RF Signals or Remote ID, Athena-MDR Can Track and Verify the Presence of Any Drone at Long Ranges

Huntsville, Ala., Sept. 2, 2026 — Observation Without Limits (O.W.L.), a U.S.-based manufacturer of 2D and 3D digital multi-beamforming radar systems for ground and low-altitude airspace surveillance applications, has announced the launch of the Athena-MDR. The Drone Verification Radar is a new specialized micro-Doppler X-Band radar system that precisely tracks and accurately verifies the classifications of drones in all lighting conditions at multi-kilometer ranges for a fraction of the cost of other sensors used for secondary drone classification. The company will make first deliveries of the new system in October 2026.

“Athena-MDR makes it possible to accurately verify the presence of drones in critical airspace,” explained Adam Robinett, O.W.L. CEO. “It is a micro-Doppler radar that works as part of an integrated drone detection solution in which OWL’s 3D surveillance radars provide tracking overwatch at long ranges. Athena-MDR is directed by the 3D surveillance radar to lock onto the air target and serve as the confirmation sensor. Unlike other sensors that may be limited by weather, lighting, or the presence (or lack) of an RF signal or remote ID, Athena-MDR tracks virtually any drone at long ranges — even small consumer quadcopters are trackable and can be verified beyond 2 km.”

Additionally, Athena-MDR incorporates a 4K camera to provide visual tracking of the drone, plus the system is designed to integrate with other more powerful cameras. The new system also makes it possible to track drones even when they are hovering in place, as its micro-Doppler capabilities enable the detection of drone rotary blades in motion.

Athena-MDR features and specifications include:

Processing Type: Pulsed Doppler
Frequency Band: X
Range Accuracy: 5 m
Class 1 Drone Micro-Doppler Detection Range: >2.5 km
Class 1 Drone Skin Return Detection Range: >5 km
Built-in Camera: Sony 4K ER9500
Optical Zoom: 25x
Digital Zoom: 12x

“Athena-MDR provides technically advanced and cost-effective capabilities for verifying and tracking drones as part of solutions for basic situational awareness as well as end-to-end counter-UAS solutions being used today by critical infrastructure and government organizations,” Robinett concluded.

The new Athena-MDR Drone Verification Radar will be on display in O.W.L.’s booth (#3550) at Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2026, in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center Sept. 14-16.

For more information about Observation Without Limits (O.W.L.), please call (256) 268-5239, email sales@owlknows.com, or visit www.owlknows.com.

About O.W.L.Observation Without Limits (O.W.L.) manufactures the GroundAware® family of 2D and 3D Digital Radar Systems that provide long-range detection, tracking, classification, and integration capabilities for perimeter intrusion detection, drone/aircraft/bird detection, and beyond visual line of sight, detect and avoid, and drone for first response (BVLOS/DAA/DFR) operations. O.W.L.’s commercially priced, non-ITAR radars deliver real-time situational awareness for critical infrastructure and government organizations requiring early warning versus safety and security threats. Leveraging more than 50 years of radar, integration, and customer deployment expertise, OWL systems are designed, built, and supported in the USA. Visit www.owlknows.com to learn more.