Detecting the Unseen: Exploiting Radar-Sonar Sensor Fusion for Visual Detection of Low-Profile Naval Drones

Recent advancements in naval technology have introduced agile and stealthy anti-ship drones. Characterized by rapid movements and compact above-water hulls, these drones often exhibit small radar cross sections (RCS), making them difficult to detect using traditional methods. To counter this emerging challenge, this research explores the integration of radar and sonar sensors, harnessing their complementary strengths to counter such threats via enhanced visualization capabilities. We illustrate how combining measurements from both radars and sonars, despite their different operational ranges and angular coverages, can significantly increase the surveillance effectiveness beyond their individual contributions. The proposed approach is expected to enhance the accuracy and reliability of visual detection systems, enabling better detection and tracking capabilities for these elusive naval drones.