Autonomous Radar Networks for Critical Infrastructure Security

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) needed cost-effective monitoring for 17 lower-risk nuclear sites across the UK as security risks decreased over time. Traditional high-security systems were increasingly disproportionate and resource-intensive. 

As part of the Remote Monitoring of Sensitive Sites Challenge funded by NDA, the UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) delivered a competition focused on Autonomous Security Alarm and Interdiction Network (ASAIN) an intelligent security system designed to support the management of high secure sensitive locations such as nuclear sites or other critical facilities. 

The Technical Brief: Develop an autonomous security system maintaining detection reliability whilst reducing operational costs. 

Plextek’s configurable mmWave low-SWaP radar was integrated with Espanaro’s Consilium™ platform – a modular, AI-enabled command and control (C2) and data-fusion layer designed for secure, multi-domain operations. Consilium provides the orchestration layer between sensors, systems, and operators, delivering real-time situational awareness, automated compliance, and proportionate response across critical sites. 

Using multiple sensor inputs through Consilium’s fusion engine reduced operational risks and delivered policy-based automation of site security responses. This integration demonstrates the potential for intelligent monitoring that scales protection measures dynamically, maintaining compliance while optimising resource use. 

“This project demonstrates the real value of adapting proven commercial radar technology for critical infrastructure applications. Our mmWave sensors demonstrated the capability to reduce operational risks and deliver required for nuclear site monitoring whilst significantly reducing deployment costs compared to traditional security systems.” —Dan Gardner, Solutions Lead, Plextek

Deployment performance: For this phase of the trial, Plextek were tasked with delivering sufficient mmWave radar coverage to validate system performance. During deployment, the solution demonstrated: 

• Robust performance with zero hardware failures 

• A marked decrease in false positives caused by vegetation clutter 

• Stable, reliable detection messaging following comprehensive sensor-to-platform integration 

Cross-sector innovation: Successfully adapted automotive radar technology to meet stringent CNI requirements. The mmWave radar demonstrates cost-effective scaling through established supply chains. 

System integration 

The mmWave radars integrate seamlessly with Consilium’s fusion and orchestration layer, providing multi-sensor processing, real-time compliance monitoring, and centralised control – reducing operational risks whilst maintaining secure operations. 

“Consilium’s automated policy management enables proportionate security responses that adapt to changing site requirements. By integrating multiple sensor inputs with intelligent decision-making, we’re reducing operational overhead whilst maintaining the stringent compliance standards essential for critical national infrastructure.” — Dan Edmunds, Founder & CEO, Espanaro

Outcomes 

• Proven radar-to-platform integration methodology 

• Validated performance in challenging RF environments 

• Scalable architecture following successful multi-sensor integration  

• Technology transfer model from commercial to security applications 

Next steps 

The following 12-month NDA site evaluation will provide comprehensive technical validation, long-term reliability data, and quantified cost-benefit analysis for broader deployment. 

This successful collaboration project aligns with the NDA’s Innovation Strategy, demonstrating how intelligent sensing combined with automated decision-making can replace resource-intensive methods whilst adapting to changing risk profiles.