Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques (FHR)

The Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR in Wachtberg near Bonn is part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. It works on radar, high-frequency engineering, sensing and signal processing for defence, space surveillance and industrial applications.

A key focus is the early detection of small unmanned aircraft and the protection of critical infrastructure. FHR develops high-resolution radar and signal processing to detect, track and classify drones at long range, in poor visibility, adverse weather and complex urban environments, and to reduce false alarms by analysing motion patterns. Its systems are designed to be fused with other sensors into a common air picture.

In the IDAS-PRO counter-drone project for police forces and critical infrastructure, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and completed in 2025, FHR designed and built the fence radar for perimeter surveillance. The consortium was coordinated by Elettronica GmbH and included Fraunhofer FKIE and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). As a public research institute, FHR delivers research results and demonstrators rather than commercial products.