US-D1 vs US-D1 Pro: Which Radar Altimeter is Right for You?
The US-D1 is ideal for compact, cost-sensitive UAVs operating in commercial or industrial environments, offering accurate altitude measurement up to 50 meters in a lightweight package.
The US-D1 Pro, on the other hand, is designed with more demanding applications in mind— manned aircraft, eVTOLs, and certification pathways with extended altitude range (up to 120 meters), aerospace standard compliance (DO-160, DO-178, DO-254), and enhanced operational assurance.
The choice comes down to your platform’s regulatory requirements, weight constraints, and altitude needs.
Demand for the first production run of the US-D1 Pro has been very high. With a good quantity now coming into stock, it’s a good time to secure your orders. Drop us an email to sales@sundance.com for more info or to request a quote.
Altitude Range & Accuracy
US-D1 Pro: Detects altitudes from 0.5 to 120 meters with ±0.1m accuracy under 10 meters, and 1% accuracy beyond. Its 120m range is achievable in ideal conditions (e.g., flat concrete surface with radar perpendicular).
US-D1: Offers 0.5 to 50 meters under the same conditions with identical accuracy specs.
✅ US-D1 Pro best for applications needing more vertical buffer or low-altitude redundancy—such as advanced UAVs or light crewed aircraft operating over varying terrain.
Environmental Robustness & Certification Readiness
The US-D1 is IP67 rated and built for rugged environments, but the US-D1 Pro is rated IP69K and goes further with compatibility for aerospace standards:
- EMC/Environmental (DO-160)
- Software (DO-178)
- Hardware (DO-254)
These certifications are critical for manned aviation, eVTOL, and regulated commercial applications.
✅ US-D1 Pro is best for OEMs pursuing aircraft certification pathways or integrating into high-assurance systems.
Power & Performance Specs
Power Consumption: Both models draw just 3W, ideal for battery-conscious platforms.
Update Rate: Both run at a fast rate, providing rapid and reliable altitude feedback.
Vertical Speed Tolerance:. Both have good vertical speed tolerance for eVTOLs, and US-D1 Pro can detect the vertical speed up to ±6.8 m/s
✅ Both are ideal for UAVs or vehicles needing dependable, real-time low-altitude sensing in dynamic flight conditions.
Size & Weight
US-D1 Pro: Slightly heavier at 140g
US-D1: A leaner 110g design
✅ US-D1 Pro for compact, weight-sensitive drones, especially in industrial, manned or delivery use cases requiring more range without sacrificing compactness in size and lightness in weight.
Choose the US-D1 if:
- Your platform is weight- or cost-sensitive
- You operate strictly in unmanned commercial or industrial UAV environments
- You need a proven, dependable radar altimeter without needing additional compliance
Choose the US-D1 Pro if:
- You’re developing manned, hybrid, or eVTOL aircraft
- You’re pursuing DO-160, DO-178, or DO-254 compliance
- You need more altitude range or operational assurance for higher-value missions
STILL UNDECIDED?
Whether you’re optimising for payload efficiency or preparing for a BVLOS mission, Ainstein’s radar altimeters are engineered to give you the confidence and precision your operations demand.
Contact us or email sales@sundance.com to speak with our team to explore your best-fit aerospace radar solution.