EchoCore AI · Sentinel Shield · IDEaS POINT 2026
A high-altitude multi-modal surveillance platform detecting silent, emission-free UAVs that evade ground-based systems.
The Problem
"Detection of Class I and II UAS, including designs that do not rely on GPS and Radio-Frequency." DND Sentinel Shield Challenge · IDEaS POINT · 2026
RF Monitoring Fails
Silent UAVs emit nothing. Fiber-optic controlled drones are completely invisible to RF sensors.
Ground Radar Blinded
Low-angle geometry means buildings, vehicles and terrain clutter mask small targets with RCS as low as 0.01 m².
The MTI Problem
Ground-based Moving Target Indication fights side-lobe clutter at shallow angles. There is no clean solution at ground level.
The Requirement
10–30 km radius · 24/7 continuous · RF-silent capable · Class I & II UAS · −40°C to +40°C
Our Approach
"From above, ground clutter is static. Only moving objects break the Doppler silence. The target reveals itself."
Ground clutter has zero Doppler shift from above. Static terrain, buildings, and parked vehicles are all invisible in Doppler space. A moving UAV stands out immediately, regardless of RF emissions.
Moving Target Indication works perfectly from elevation. The platform sees only what moves. Birds, UAVs, and aircraft separate cleanly in the micro-Doppler domain.
Tethered: infinite endurance, ground power, 24/7 persistent coverage. Untethered: active patrol, extending coverage from 10 km to 30 km+ radius as the platform repositions.
Compared to fixed-wing ISR aircraft or satellite surveillance, the platform cost is a fraction. Helium lift is free. Tethered power eliminates battery limits. A single platform can maintain station for weeks, not hours.
Commercial FPV drones and threat UAVs typically operate below 500m AGL. The surveillance platform operates at 500–3000m, above the threat envelope, outside effective FPV range, and with unobstructed sightlines across the full surveillance zone.
The platform can carry or coordinate small interceptor UAVs in its gondola bay. Upon positive identification of a threat, interceptors can be launched directly from altitude, reducing response time from minutes to seconds.
Three independent sensing layers. Each fills the gaps the others cannot.
Primary detection. Detects ALL moving objects regardless of RF emissions. MTI filtering removes static clutter. Micro-Doppler distinguishes rotor harmonics from bird wing-flap.
Range 10–30 km · 24/7 all-weather · RF-silent capable
When a drone transmits, RF provides instant identity. Complements radar without depending on it.
Passive · No emissions · 2.4 / 5.8 GHz · Remote ID compliant
High-confidence identity confirmation once radar has acquired and tracked target. Day and night capable.
Identity confirmation · Day/night · Form factor recognition
All three sensor streams feed the AI pipeline simultaneously. Confidence-weighted fusion. Output: target class, confidence score, track state, CoT/SAPIENT output.
Multi-hypothesis reasoning · Confidence scoring · C2 output
AI Classification Pipeline
The pipeline follows established radar signal processing practice. Each stage maps to well-understood DSP and ML techniques, with no black boxes and no hand-waving.
Classification accuracy on micro-Doppler spectrograms: >95% UAV vs. bird (published benchmark, X-band, DJI Phantom class targets). Pipeline architecture follows DRDC CUAS signal processing doctrine.
Intellectual Property
Development Roadmap
A staged validation approach aligned with standard aerospace TRL methodology and with the Sentinel Shield procurement timeline. Each phase builds on demonstrated capability. No speculative jumps.
Sentinel Shield · IDEaS POINT Official Schedule
Q2–Q3 2026 · Active now
Sep 2026 – Apr 2027 · Sentinel Shield Build phase
May 2027 test · FY 27/28 delivery · 27 CAF sites
"The sensors exist. The algorithms are being built. The platform is commercial off-the-shelf. This is an integration challenge, not a research gamble."
EchoCore AI · CA Patent Application 3,286,560 · CUAS 2025 & 2026 participant · IDEaS Sentinel Shield applicant · June 24, 2026 proposal deadline
EchoCore AI is developing this system for the DND Sentinel Shield challenge (IDEaS POINT, deadline June 24, 2026). We are looking for partners with expertise in radar signal processing, AI/ML, and aerial systems.