- C Speed has rebranded as Protora
- Three new radar product lines launch under the LightWave radar core
- The 2026 Homeland Security Summit will explore counter-UAS coordination and more
C Speed has changed its name to Protora as part of a rebranding initiative and introduced three new radar product lines, RushLight, DomeWatcher and WingWatcher, designed to address mission needs spanning border security, base defense, infrastructure protection, and wide-area surveillance.
Radar and surveillance technologies continue to play a growing role in homeland security missions, from border monitoring to the protection of critical infrastructure. The Potomac Officers Club will host the 2026 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 10, where senior government and industry leaders will discuss emerging technology priorities, including a panel on coordinating counter-unmanned aircraft system operations to safeguard the homeland. Register now to join the conversation.
The company said Tuesday the new identity is intended to reflect Protora’s shift from developing custom radar systems for individual customer missions toward offering those same capabilities as standardized products available to a broader customer base.
Backed by NewSpring Holdings Federal, the company said the name draws from the Roman Praetorian Guard and is meant to convey a mission of continuous vigilance for allied nations. The rebrand builds on 20 years of radar and surveillance work supporting the Department of War, the Department of Homeland Security and international partners.
What Are Protora’s New Radar Product Lines?
Protora introduced three radar systems as part of the rebrand, each built for a different mission set:
- RushLight — a 1-kilowatt, trailer-mounted radar system that can be deployed in under 10 minutes using a standard tow vehicle, intended for border security, gap-fill coverage and fast-moving threat environments
- DomeWatcher — a high-power, 3D ground tower radar offering long-range early warning, with optional electro-optical/infrared, electronic intelligence and counter-unmanned aircraft system payloads for base defense and infrastructure protection
- WingWatcher — a 10-kilowatt aerostat radar that provides over-the-horizon coverage from altitude, with flexible multi-sensor payload options and optional Link 16 and ground moving target indicator kits for wide-area surveillance
All three systems run on LightWave, Protora’s software-defined radar core, which the company said provides native ASTERIX and STANAG data compatibility, supports remote and unattended operation and is manufactured domestically.
What Did Protora Officials Say About the Rebrand?
Protora CEO Dave Abel said the new name represents an identity the company has grown into rather than a break from its past.
“RushLight, DomeWatcher and WingWatcher give our allies eyes on the ground, at the base, and in the air. LightWave ties every platform together, so operators see threats of any size at long range with precision,” Abel, a previous Wash100 awardee, stated.
Andy Maner, operating partner at NewSpring Holdings and chairman of Protora’s board, said the rebrand carries forward two decades of experience under a single brand focused on U.S. and allied mission priorities.
“The new name gives this history a voice built for its next chapter, focused on supporting U.S. mission priorities and our allies and partners abroad. DomeWatcher, WingWatcher and RushLight put a name and a mission behind every radar we build,” Maner added.
What Is Protora?
Protora, formerly C Speed, is a Syracuse, New York-based provider of U.S.-made radar and surveillance systems for defense and homeland security customers worldwide. Its product lines run on LightWave, Protora’s software-defined radar core, and are supported by Shadowsight, the company’s integrated product support program. The company has served the U.S. Army, DHS and international partners for two decades.
The rebrand follows a string of ownership and leadership changes at the company. NewSpring Holdings acquired the radar systems provider in October 2024, making it the fourth platform company under its federal portfolio. Dave Abel, a public sector technology executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience, was named CEO in May, succeeding Kevin McLaughlin, to help the company expand its radar and domain awareness capabilities, a role he holds as the company introduces its new brand identity.
