A new wave in radar innovation
This feature was originally written by Anne Kane and published by the Entrepreneurs' Center.
Raider Technologies is revolutionizing radar and communication systems. Founded by Aaron Jones, a seasoned technologist with over 15 years of research and development experience, the company addresses critical infrastructure needs with its innovative technology.
"Raider Technologies is at the forefront of addressing critical infrastructure needs in unmanned traffic management (UTM), advanced air mobility (AAM), and shared spectrum for global smart cities through its innovative low cost, size, weight and power (C-SWaP) joint radar and communications technology," explains Jones. "Raider leverages a unique frequency diverse array radar architecture that is significantly lower in cost and complexity for acquisition, detection, and tracking of targets."
The company's name reflects its bold technology, drawn from the new B-21 Raider, an advanced stealth bomber platform developed by the United States Air Force, and the Doolittle Raiders, a group of World War II aviators known for their daring raid on Tokyo.
Raider Technologies traces its roots to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), which supported the company's establishment through the Entrepreneurial Opportunities Program (EOP). The program pairs entrepreneurs with advanced lab-developed technology to explore the viability of startups focused on transitioning technology for dual-purpose use.
Raider's journey began with identifying a critical need for low-cost, high-capability sensors to support the infrastructure buildout for autonomous air and ground ecosystems. That led to the development of its unique frequency-diverse array (FDA) radar architecture. Raider's continuous wave radar provides highly affordable, accurate range, angle, and Doppler targeting capabilities, which are essential for the safe operation of autonomous systems.
"The Raider radar is a special type of continuous wave radar that can be affordably produced and is lower in peak power than typical pulsed radar due to its simpler generation of transmit signals than existing radar systems," says Jones.
Raider Technologies is a client of the Entrepreneurs' Center, which provided invaluable support: expert feedback on business plans, market research facilitation, and guidance on capital-raising strategies.
"Raider has significantly benefited from a robust partnership with the EC. Their comprehensive support spans several critical areas of our business," Jones shares. "They have provided expert feedback on our business plan and pro-forma, facilitated in-depth market research, and advised on capital-raising strategies. Their guidance has been essential in aligning our products with market demand and operational capabilities. Additionally, the EC has enhanced our operational efficiency by providing access to co-working spaces, which Raider uses weekly for project work and customer meetings."
The successful demonstration of Raider's joint radar-communications concepts in March 2024 marked a significant milestone, positioning the company for further development.
"Raider is focused on getting our products out to market and excited to get into test sites and prove our superior performance at affordable price points for UTM, cUAS, and AAM," Jones noted.