From sound detecting units to weapon locating radars, some models of China's leading radar equipment are on display at the ongoing 11th World Radio Detection and Ranging Expo (World Radar Expo) in Hefei City of east China's Anhui Province.

One of the eye-catching exhibits is a pavilion of sound detecting units, which as a whole looks like a three-layer umbrella. Each sound detecting unit can collect audio signals to help estimate the distance to a low, slow and small target such as a drone.
At the event, a search-and-tracking photoelectric sensor has also captured the attention of many viewers.
Traditional radars have blind spots when detecting targets at low altitudes, which cruise missiles, aircrafts and other combat forces often use to avoid being detected.

Researchers from China Electronic Technology Group Corporation (CETC) have developed a photoelectric sensor, which uses infrared light and visible light, to fill the gap.

"It works by constantly rotating and scanning, to capture 360-degree, low-altitude images of objects. If there is a suspicious target, it will sound an alarm, and then its tracking turntable will lock on and track the target. This model of our radar equipment is designed to identify quadcopter drones within two to three kilometers, and detect them within five to six kilometers," said An Sijing of CETC.

In addition, the CETC presents a state-of-the-art weapon locating radar, which can not only locate the positions of enemy artillery pieces by detecting artillery shells traveling through the air, but also is equipped with air and missile defense capabilities.

"It can carry out early-warning detection of various types of key targets, including cannonball, tactical aircraft, drone-helicopters, within a 360-degree range. Its integrated mechanical, electrical and hydraulic design enables it to fully automatically be installed and withdrawn, and has the ability to adapt to various complex terrains," said Zhou Jianyang of CETC.

The World Radar Expo opened on Saturday and will continue until Monday. The event has been held biennially since 2001.