August 17, 2026
Quantum Systems is adding synthetic aperture radar to its Vector and Reliant reconnaissance drones, giving them new all-weather and night-time reconnaissance capabilities
German defense company Quantum Systems, which works closely with Ukraine, is upgrading its Vector and Reliant reconnaissance UAVs with synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The new payload is designed to allow the drones to conduct reconnaissance when conventional electro-optical systems are limited by weather or darkness.
The new radar integration was confirmed by Quantum Systems to hartpunkt. The company’s CEO, Florian Seibel, had previously shown the new capability on social media.
The SAR payload is installed in a dedicated nose fairing. This allows the radar to be replaced with the drone’s standard payload when required.
The new capability is particularly important because SAR does not rely on visible light. The Vector and Reliant can therefore conduct reconnaissance through rain, fog and heavy cloud cover, as well as at night.
This could significantly expand their capabilities on the battlefield, where weather and visibility can often limit the effectiveness of electro-optical and infrared sensors.
At the same time, it remains unclear how the new radar will affect the drones’ overall specifications, particularly flight endurance and payload capacity.
Defense Express notes that the key question is whether Ukrainian Vector drones will also receive the new SAR payload.
It is currently unclear whether the Bundeswehr will initially receive SAR-equipped Vectors only for testing or whether the configuration will enter operational service. The German military already operates the Vector under the designation FALKE.
Ukraine, however, is particularly relevant in this context. Quantum Systems has close ties with the Ukrainian defense sector, including production and R&D facilities in the country. Its Vector reconnaissance drones are already in service with the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
This makes it plausible that the new SAR payload could eventually be tested in Ukraine under real battlefield conditions. Such testing could also provide Quantum Systems with valuable operational feedback and allow the company to refine the system, as has previously happened with the Vector platform.
At the same time, Quantum Systems works very closely with Ukraine and has both production facilities and an R&D center in the country. This makes it quite likely that the new payload for the Vector could eventually be tested under demanding battlefield conditions, allowing the company to make any necessary adjustments based on operational experience, as was previously done with the Vector itself.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that Quantum Systems is expanding its deliveries to Ukraine to include unmanned cargo vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), which are set to undergo testing with the National Guard of Ukraine.