Blighter has deployed its dual-mode Blighter C400 series coastline surveillance technology to protect offshore oil platforms and an onshore refinery in Equatorial Guinea, a Petro-piracy hotspot off the West African coast. 

Blighter’s C400 series radars have been proven to be highly effective in targeting the growing problem of piracy. It is estimated that the illegal black market for stolen oil is worth over US$1 billion. The radars in Equatorial Guinea are now fully operational following system configuration and training. 

According to Blighter, its customer needed a compact coastline radar system that was easy to install, ultra-reliable and could detect, track and classify the small shallow-draught vessels favoured by oil pirates and militants, which typically sit low in the water and move at speed. It was vital that the radar sensor selected provided detection day and night in all weather conditions, including heavy rain, fog and during thunderstorms. 

James Long, Blighter’s CEO, says: “We know that oil pirates are highly organised and often choose to exploit harsh weather conditions to evade detection with many only becoming active during heavy rains or high sea states. Our C400 radar systems were chosen to plug the gap in our customer’s defences as our sensors are specifically designed to detect even the smallest uncooperative targets in complex, cluttered and extreme environments.” 

Blighter’s C400 radars have several features that make them suitable for coastline surveillance, and particularly for detecting uncooperative targets. First, the compact design and low-power electronically scanning and frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) technologies contains no moving parts. This ensures ease of installation and ultra-reliable operation with minimal maintenance even in the harshest marine conditions. The C400 series is IP66-rated and MIL-STD-810F compliant. 

Second, the Blighter C400 series radar uses advanced Doppler signal processing to provide the ability to precisely examine the motion of waterborne objects with respect to waves or ripples on the water surface. Unlike traditional Doppler radars, the C400 series characterises non-moving targets using the static target detector so that moored boats, buoys and other structures remain visible on the radar screen.  

Third, the radar’s built-in sea clutter filter automatically adapts to changing sea states and wave conditions to remove the unwanted radar signal produced by waves using both velocity (speed) and amplitude (height) characteristics. 

Blighter radar’s e-scan antenna technology and FMCW design also allows it to be mounted high on offshore platforms and onshore towers and still detect targets close to the platform or shore as well as those further away. In Equatorial Guinea, the detection range of the C400 radars is around 20km. Importantly, all of the radars deployed are networked together to provide onshore controllers with a common operating picture (COP) of the offshore and onshore facilities.  

“We are delighted to see that our radar technology is continuing to be used to combat the costly problem of Petro-piracy in the oil and gas industry,” says James Long, Blighter’s CEO. “Our C400 radars have proved to be highly effective against piracy and their dual mode operation allows detection of small and/or slow-moving boats at sea as well as ground targets such as intruders on the coastline shore.” 

The Blighter C400 series radar can be integrated into a larger coastal security system incorporating day/night and fog penetrating electro-optical camera systems, AIS (automatic identification system), other boat transponder/tracking systems and CCTV. These elements can all be controlled through Blighter’s command and control (C2) software platform. 

Blighter C400 series radars are also suitable for other coastal security applications including seaport security surveillance and water-side security of land based coastal assets, such as desalination plants, nuclear power stations, palaces and other high value assets.  

Telephone +44 1223 491122 or email [email protected]. Or come and meet the team on Stand N6-166 at the DSEI Defence and Security show taking place at the ExCel Centre in London, from 9-12 September 2025.  

About Blighter

Blighter, Cambridge UK, is a pioneering designer and manufacturer of ground-based electronic-scanning radars for surveillance of moving objects on the ground, along coastlines and in the air. Blighter radars use patented ultra-reliable, low SWaP – size, weight, and power (4 Watts) – electronic-scanning antenna technology and advanced AI (artificial intelligence) assisted software to detect, track and classify small and slow-moving threats in complex environments. Blighter radars are also used as part of short-range air defence (SHORAD) systems to detect drones and FPVs (first person view). Blighter radars are trusted by the UK Ministry of Defence for forward operating base (FOB) protection, the South Korean Army for border surveillance along the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), by the United States Air Force for drone detection, and the UK’s major airports for perimeter protection. 

Blighter’s commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) product portfolio includes ITAR-free 2D, 3D and 4D radars and a range of software applications to simplify the integration, configuration, control and viewing of multiple networked radars. Pattern of life analysis is used to enhance situational analysis and the speed and efficiency of threat detection. Blighter radars feature Low-Probability-of-Intercept (LPI) waveforms and are designed for rugged operation at fixed and mobile locations and on the move. Blighter supports the local assembly of certain products to enable indigenous manufacture and works in partnership with international systems integrators to create layered multi-sensor surveillance systems for asset and area protection. Blighter is located in Great Chesterford on the outskirts of Cambridge, UK. 

Media contact: 

Martin Brooke (for Blighter) 

Martin Brooke Associates  

Tel: +44 (0) 7776 135402  

Email: [email protected] 

Blighter has unveiled its longest-range smart border surveillance radar system which can detect a person 15km or 9.3 miles away with just 4 Watts of power.

That’s the same as what is needed to power a mobile phone or a modern LED light bulb. 

According to Blighter, this extended range means earlier interception of intruders and significant cost savings for border security operators. With its ‘person at 15km’ detection range, the Blighter B422LR (long-range) border surveillance system can now monitor an area of 707km² compared with 201km² for a radar with a ‘person at 8km’ range.

Blighter’s export-friendly B422LR border surveillance system provides up to 360-degrees of pure electronic scanning coverage with no mechanical rotation using static, low power, solid-state transmitters. This low power, low bandwidth system can be operated using solar panels and has no need for additional forced air cooling making it ideal for remote operation along national borders. 

Mark Radford, co-founder and chief technology officer (CTO) at Blighter, says, “This new ultra-reliable long-range e-scan radar enhances our leadership position in the global border surveillance market. Our radar’s ability to detect a person 15km away, or a crawler 6.4km away, in all weathers and in complex terrains, and with just 4 Watts of transmission power, makes the case for adopting our solution even more compelling.  

“As our recent record order book shows, governments and border forces are increasingly adopting our e-scan radars as the primary detection sensors for their long-range remote surveillance systems. With the extended range, customers will not only be able to detect and intercept targets earlier but with larger area covered by each radar system, the number of radars and towers and the supporting infrastructure will be reduced.” 

Blighter’s B422LR border surveillance radar system uses frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) transmission technology, combined with sensitive micro-Doppler target detection. This means the radar has a small communications bandwidth requirement and therefore needs only a fraction of the transmitter power used by traditional security radar systems and dramatically less than classic radar systems. 

“Our radar’s low size, weight and power (SWaP) profile coupled with the extended range is a huge benefit to border authorities,” adds Mark Radford. “But it is also vital that the radars are easy to integrate with our customers’ command and control (C2) systems. We achieve this using our BlighterNexus AI-assisted Hub.” 

Blighter’s B422LR works with BlighterNexus to ease integration of the remote radars with command and control (C2) systems to provide border authorities with a common operating picture (COP), a real-time, unified view of the border environment. BlighterNexus also optimises target detection capabilities while reducing training and operational costs as the AI-assisted software automates setup, configuration and adjustment of multiple radars to deliver optimum performance even in changing weather conditions. 

Blighter’s radar products are export-friendly and not subject to U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) neither are they governed by the European Union’s dual-use export control regulations. Mark Radford says, “Our ITAR-free status and the licensing of our products for commercial and military applications give us a strategic advantage in the global border security market, making us easy to do business with while reducing considerably the licensing requirements for our customers when buying and deploying our technology.” 

For more information about the Blighter B422LR border surveillance radar, please visit www.blighter.com, telephone +44 1223 491122 or email [email protected]. 

About Blighter

Blighter, Cambridge UK, is a pioneering designer and manufacturer of ground-based electronic-scanning radars for surveillance of moving objects on the ground, along coastlines and in the air. Blighter radars use patented ultra-reliable, low SWaP – size, weight, and power (4 Watts) – electronic-scanning antenna technology and advanced AI (artificial intelligence) assisted software to detect, track and classify small and slow-moving threats in complex environments. Blighter radars are also used as part of short-range air defence (SHORAD) systems to detect drones and FPVs (first person view). Blighter radars are trusted by the UK Ministry of Defence for forward operating base (FOB) protection, the South Korean Army for border surveillance along the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), by the United States Air Force for drone detection, and the UK’s major airports for perimeter protection. 

Blighter’s commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) product portfolio includes ITAR-free 2D, 3D and 4D radars and a range of software applications to simplify the integration, configuration, control and viewing of multiple networked radars. Pattern of life analysis is used to enhance situational analysis and the speed and efficiency of threat detection. Blighter radars feature Low-Probability-of-Intercept (LPI) waveforms and are designed for rugged operation at fixed and mobile locations and on the move. Blighter supports the local assembly of certain products to enable indigenous manufacture and works in partnership with international systems integrators to create layered multi-sensor surveillance systems for asset and area protection. Blighter is located in Great Chesterford on the outskirts of Cambridge, UK. 

Media contact: 

Martin Brooke (for Blighter) 

Martin Brooke Associates  

Tel: +44 (0) 7776 135402  

Email: [email protected] 

Blighter has achieved a record £25 million order book in the last 12 months.

This follows a series of contract wins for its ground-based border surveillance radars – for fixed and mobile surveillance applications – from customers in three different continents.

In the Middle East and North Africa, Blighter secured contracts to deploy multiple long-range radars along extensive national borders. Two further orders were for radars integrated into mobile surveillance vehicles – one in Southeast Asia and another to monitor a European Union land border. In addition, a Five Eyes customer ordered twenty-two ground surveillance radars for deployment on its armoured vehicles.

James Long, CEO at Blighter, says, “It has been a record breaking 12 months for the company with orders totalling more than £25 million for our border surveillance radars. This growth is being driven in part by the increasing geopolitical tensions and border disputes globally as governments look to monitor and secure their boundaries effectively from illegal crossings, smuggling, people trafficking and other security breaches.

“However, our success is also fuelled by governments and homeland security experts understanding the compelling business case for investing in COTS-based electronic-scanning radars for border surveillance. The Korean Army’s deployment of around one hundred of our radar units on the 250km Korean Demilitarised Zone over a decade ago is testament to this.”

Blighter’s solid-state, non-rotating, low power and near zero maintenance radars have been operational in South Korea since 2011. The radars provide a persistent surveillance capability along the DMZ in what is considered one of the world’s most mountainous countries with environmental extremes of -30ºC in winter and a humid +40ºC in summer. They work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, monitoring the 4km-wide DMZ for any human, vehicle or low-flying aircraft incursions.

“The DMZ has become an excellent reference site for the ultra-reliability and effectiveness of our ground movement radars,” says James Long. “We are confident that we can build on our sales success in the last 12 months continuing to innovate and by leveraging the growing number of reference sites – our radars are now operational in more than 40 different countries.”

The Blighter B400 series radars are particularly well suited to national border surveillance applications with their:

• Long-range detection capability,
• 20-degree wide elevation beam, which provides simultaneous hill-top and valley coverage.

The radars can detect very small and slow targets such as:

• A crawling person up to 6.4 km away
• A walking person up to 15 km
• A vehicle at up to 32 km

Even in cluttered environments.

Since introducing the world’s first, non-rotating, solid-state, electronic-scanning, micro-Doppler ground radar in 2003, Blighter has continued to lead this market with ITAR-free 2D, 3D and 4D radars and advanced AI (artificial intelligence) assisted software to detect, track and classify small and slow-moving threats in complex environments.

Pattern of life analysis is now used to enhance situational analysis and the speed and efficiency of threat detection. Blighter radars also feature Low-Probability-of-Intercept (LPI) waveforms and are designed for rugged operation at fixed and mobile locations and on the move. Blighter supports the local assembly of certain products to enable indigenous manufacture.

Telephone +44 1223 491122 or email [email protected].

About Blighter

Blighter, Cambridge UK, is a pioneering designer and manufacturer of ground-based electronic-scanning radars for surveillance of moving objects on the ground, along coastlines and in the air. Blighter radars use patented ultra-reliable, low SWaP – size, weight, and power (4 Watts) – electronic-scanning antenna technology and advanced AI (artificial intelligence) assisted software to detect, track and classify small and slow-moving threats in complex environments. Blighter radars are also used as part of short-range air defence (SHORAD) systems to detect drones and FPVs (first person view). Blighter radars are trusted by the UK Ministry of Defence for forward operating base (FOB) protection, the South Korean Army for border surveillance along the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), by the United States Air Force for drone detection, and the UK’s major airports for perimeter protection.

Blighter’s commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) product portfolio includes ITAR-free 2D, 3D and 4D radars and a range of software applications to simplify the integration, configuration, control and viewing of multiple networked radars. Pattern of life analysis is used to enhance situational analysis and the speed and efficiency of threat detection. Blighter radars feature Low-Probability-of-Intercept (LPI) waveforms and are designed for rugged operation at fixed and mobile locations and on the move. Blighter supports the local assembly of certain products to enable indigenous manufacture and works in partnership with international systems integrators to create layered multi-sensor surveillance systems for asset and area protection. Blighter is located in Great Chesterford on the outskirts of Cambridge, UK.

Media contact:

Martin Brooke (for Blighter)

Martin Brooke Associates      

Tel: +44 (0) 7776 135402      

Email: [email protected]

Cambridge, UK, March 8, 2023 – Blighter Surveillance Systems (www.blighter.com) the British designer and manufacturer of electronic-scanning radars and surveillance solutions, has been awarded a contract to supply its multi-mode A800 3D e-scan radars to Raytheon UK as part of a laser weapon project with UK MoD.

The Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) system project will deliver a demonstrator system to showcase the capability of the Raytheon Technologies-manufactured laser in neutralising small Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), using two A800 radars for initial target detection and direction of the laser’s targeting system. The laser weapon system will be mounted to a vehicle, with the ground-based A800 providing detection and designation nearby.

Blighter will be assisting with the design phase of the laser weapon system and developing a concept of operation and support during the trials, which will take place at a UK MoD test range. Blighter was chosen for this contract not only for the best-in-class detection capabilities of the radar itself, but also because the A800 is designed with integration in mind, able to seamlessly operate in cohesion with existing Command and Control (C2) systems.

Blighter’s A800 3D radar offers an innovative ground-based solution to threat detection, utilising multi-mode surveillance capability usually reserved only for large-scale radar systems and packaging it into a smaller, more flexible radar with a maximum range of 20km. The A800’s multi-mode capability allows it to detect targets in the air, on land, and at sea, within the operating region of the LDEW laser weapon, using state-of-the-art clutter filters to simplify the LDEW test regime.

The A800 multi-mode drone detection radar is ideally suited to detection of UAVs and also capable of being mounted to vehicles, towers and masts, and will be supplied in an ITAR-free off-the-shelf configuration.

Blighter CEO, James Long said: “We are excited to be working with Raytheon UK on this project, which will demonstrate how our cutting-edge A800 e-scanning radar can operate in synchronicity with next-generation laser weapon technology to provide the edge on the battlefield. We are proud to provide our expertise in threat detection and integration for such an important step in Counter-UAV operations.”

ENDS

Hi-res media photo of Blighter A800 Radar for Laser Weapon System:

Blighter A800 3D Multi-Mode Radar for Laser Weapon System

For media enquiries please contact:

Victoria Mackarness (for Blighter)
Tel: +44 7852 128075
Email: [email protected]

About Blighter (www.blighter.com):

Blighter Surveillance Systems is located near Cambridge, UK. Blighter designs and manufactures world-beating 2D and 3D electronic-scanning ground-based radars, which can accurately detect drones, people, vehicles and boats at large distances.

Its radars are key sensors in surveillance and counter-drone applications, and are used in more than 35 countries around the world, delivering 24/7 security protection along national borders and coastlines, at military bases, and to protect manoeuvre force missions when deployed on military land vehicles and trailers.  Blighter’s radars also play a key role in guarding critical national infrastructure (CNI) sites such as airports, power plants and oil and gas facilities.

Cambridge, UK, May 31, 2022 – Blighter Surveillance Systems (www.blighter.com) the British designer and manufacturer of electronic-scanning radars and surveillance solutions, has appointed James Long as its new Chief Executive Officer.

James assumes this role following three years as Blighter’s Chief Operating Officer. During this time James was responsible for Blighter’s revenue generation and development in the Defence sector, and as such is ideally positioned to continue to grow the company’s footprint while upholding its reputation for commercial and operational excellence.

Prior to his tenure at Blighter, James held Board level positions with international businesses of £50m+ turnover in air traffic surveillance and management, security, aerospace, defence, and automotive sectors. James is MBA qualified with a first-class degree in Mechanical Engineering and has extensive knowledge of high-end engineering. James replaces Angus Hone who is stepping down after three years as CEO.

Blighter Chairman, Dr Colin Smithers said: “We are delighted to appoint James to the position of CEO at a time of significant opportunity for Blighter. Angus Hone has done an exemplary job in strengthening and enabling the business, and putting in place the foundations for growth. At Blighter, we take great pride in our engineering excellence, and we are now positioned to act on ambitious plans for our world-leading radars, while continuing to deliver our existing contracts”.

ENDS

Hi-res media photos of James Long:

James Long, Chief Executive Officer – Blighter Surveillance Systems

For media enquiries please contact:

Gus Haynes (for Blighter)
Tel: +44 7858 101117
Email: [email protected]

About Blighter (www.blighter.com)

Blighter Surveillance Systems is located near Cambridge, UK. Blighter designs and manufactures world-beating 2D and 3D electronic-scanning ground-based radars, which can accurately detect drones, people, vehicles and boats at large distances.

Its radars are key sensors in surveillance and counter-drone applications, and are used in more than 35 countries around the world, delivering 24/7 security protection along national borders and coastlines, at military bases, and to protect manoeuvre force missions when deployed on military land vehicles and trailers. Blighter’s radars also play a key role in guarding critical national infrastructure (CNI) sites such as airports, power plants and oil and gas facilities.