Stellenbosch-based EDH is among a select group of companies globally specialising in muzzle velocity radar systems, providing products both locally and internationally to clients such as the South African National Defence Force, arms manufacturers, and testing facilities.

Founded in 1989, EDH developed its own range of Doppler radar instruments for measuring muzzle velocity and short-range ballistics. But the uses for this technology are not limited to weapons.

In 1992, EDH founder Henri Johnson also invented the Speed Gun, a device capable of accurately measuring the speed and angles of fast-moving objects, such as cricket and tennis balls. Building on this success, he later developed the EDH SpeedBall, which employs Doppler radar technology originally designed for the military to measure the velocity of a cricket ball in flight. Positioned at either end of the cricket ground, the SpeedBall records data every millisecond, tracking the ball’s motion with an accuracy within 1%. It calculates speed from the moment the ball leaves the bowler’s hand, through its bounce, adjusting automatically for different angles and distances. This innovation was unveiled at the 1999 Cricket World Cup at the Oval in England.

Johnson’s expertise soon extended to tennis, where he created the RaquetRadar, the first 3D device capable of measuring the speed of a tennis serve. By 2004, he had turned his attention to golf, inventing FlightScope, a 3D Doppler radar that tracks a golf ball's trajectory, speed, and direction. Offering precise data on both ball and club movements, FlightScope became a market leader, widely adopted by golf instructors, club fitters, and equipment manufacturers, reshaping the traditional "launch monitor" market with its affordability and accuracy.

Their core business however, remains in forensics and weapons testing. EDH’s expertise extends beyond its renowned muzzle velocity testing, offering a broad range of solutions for the testing of weapons and ammunition. The company's services include calibration tests, proof tests, forensic analysis, ballistic assessments, and acceptance trials, catering to a variety of testing needs.

Its radar systems are designed to handle all calibres and velocities, whether for single-shot or burst firing, and are compatible with all types of ammunition. These systems can be deployed in both indoor and outdoor testing environments, making them highly adaptable to diverse conditions.

EDH also provides an extensive array of specialised equipment. This includes low- and high-power radar units, integrated and PC-based processor units, and sophisticated software for test analysis and reporting. Additional offerings include Doppler, flash, and acoustic triggers, as well as pressure measurement and velocity simulator test equipment. The company also supplies cables, mountings, tripods, and power supplies, ensuring comprehensive support for any ballistic testing scenario.

The firm produces radars for tactical use as well as testing purposes. Tactical radars, mounted on weapons, measure muzzle velocity during live fire, offering real-time feedback to fire control systems—enhancing accuracy. In contrast, test radars are deployed for assessing weapons, ammunition, and propellants, as well as for ballistic and forensic studies. EDH radars are standard at South African testing sites, including Armscor's Alkantpan facility and Denel’s Overberg Test Range. Notably, EDH's radar played a role in Rheinmetall Denel Munitions' record-breaking artillery shot in 2019, which propelled a 155mm shell over 76 km.

Primarily an exporter, EDH has supplied its systems to more than 30 countries in the last three decades. According to Tom Johnson, EDH's director, the company is one of only a handful worldwide that designs and manufactures such systems, all through self-funding. Johnson highlighted that South African firms often seek such technology abroad, unaware of EDH’s local expertise.

The company's products are entirely domestically produced, supporting jobs both within EDH and among its longstanding local subcontractors. Looking ahead, EDH is poised to expand, particularly in Europe and the Americas, with plans to bolster its engineering team to meet growing demand.
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