Navtech Radar believes development will transform ocean safety
NavTech Radar has launched the ‘world’s first’ 77GHz FMCW maritime radar, with hopes of transforming ocean safety. The MAS10 is tailored to specific maritime needs for autonomy and reliability, leading to a purpose-built solution.
The marine radar uses an ultra-high-definition W-band system for all-weather navigation and safer manoeuvring in crowded waterways. The MAS10 was developed in collaboration with leading marine companies to create a purpose-built solution.
Rachael O’Connor, marine business development manager at Navtech Radar, said: “Uncrewed vessels are set to revolutionise maritime operations across numerous applications and markets, from energy to border control. However, they face a critical gap in sensor technology for situational awareness in congested waterways. Conventional radars excel at long-range detection, but new challenges demand more advanced solutions. The MAS10 radar is purpose-built for marine automation, combining a 1km range with centimetre-level precision and all-weather reliability.”
Reliability in all-weather environments is granted by the W-band radar technology. Whereas optical and infrared sensors are limited by fog, heavy rain, and snow, W-band radar can produce clear and consistent detection.
O’Connor added: “The MAS10’s high-resolution imaging enables machine-learning-powered classification, setting a new standard for safe and intelligent navigation. With 25 years of Navtech expertise, the MAS10 is designed to enable safer and smarter navigation for the future of maritime operations.”
Where the W-band radar comes into its own is its performance in low visibility conditions, functioning in darkness, bright sunlight, and shadowed areas. This is an advantage over cameras and LIDAR systems, which often are not capable of performing in these conditions.
Sea spray and mist do not affect the radar, as it was built with a ruggedised design specifically for mission-critical marine applications, ensuring performance when other systems may be limited by moisture.
Adding to this, resistance to wind and turbulence prevents weather conditions from interrupting tracking, creating a safe environment for operators to function.
Matthew Ratsey, founder and managing director of Zero USV, said: “High-definition short range (up to 1km) radar are vital in completing ‘the picture’. When you are totally reliant on your sensor pack for your autonomous navigation, ensuring you have the complete picture is vital.”
The MAS10 has been developed to allow for integration with existing and emerging autonomous systems, using an open architecture, standardised APIs, and comprehensive SDK support to enable connectivity with navigation software, sensor fusion platforms, and AI-driven vessel control systems. Set-up time is reduced via the plug-and-play features, whilst robust data outputs formats allow for easy customisation and real-time processing.
Ratsey added: “Navtech's MAS10 is such a unit, the definition and quality to pick up even the smallest of targets in cluttered environments is vital for the autonomous industry to continue seeking the goal of ‘jetty to jetty’ navigation where busy harbours still represent a significant challenge.”
