The United States could soon get the capability to detect hostile drones at longer ranges. An AI-enabled drone detection system was recently demonstrated at the Technology Readiness Experimentation event.
L3Harris Technologies and Shield AI recently showcased the system that can detect hostile UAVs faster than current systems.
The test event also demonstrated that the system can detect UAVs even if drones are partially obscured by buildings or clouds.
Unmanned threats that require faster responses
L3Harris tested the passive capabilities using WESCAM MX-Series electro-optical/infrared sensors integrated with Shield AI’s Tracker counter-UAS software to detect multiple classes of unmanned aerial systems.
“Our warfighters and allies are facing a new breed of unmanned threats that require faster responses at greater ranges without being detected themselves,” said Tom Kirkland, Vice President and General Manager, Targeting and Sensor Systems, L3Harris.
“Partnering with Shield AI enables combat-proven targeting systems like the WESCAM MX-Series to be more effective and provide added protection to operators.”
Fine-tuning different airborne object behavior models
The next phase of L3Harris Technologies and Shield AI’s collaboration will include fine-tuning different airborne object behavior models to enhance performance tracking across air, land, and maritime domains during daytime and night operations.
The AI-powered capability will be integrated with the L3Harris VAMPIRE Counter-Unmanned System, designed to defend against small drones.
“Adversaries are fielding more drones, cheaper and in more complex environments than ever before,” said Christian Gutierrez, Vice President, Hivemind Solutions, Shield AI. “Defeating that threat requires technology that is intelligent, adaptable and passive, and this collaboration with L3Harris brings together the strengths of autonomy and sensing to meet that urgent operational need.”
Targeting systems support intelligence
Used in the latest innovation, L3Harris’ WESCAM MX-Series of multi-sensor, multi-spectral, electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) surveillance and targeting systems support intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition missions from platforms across the air, land and maritime domains.
WESCAM MX-Series turrets have outperformed their major competitors in every performance area, giving them the longest EO/IR target identification and designating ranges in the industry (in each class size).
L3Harris highlighted that its designating systems enable teams to dominate the battlefield 24/7, with greater precision than ever before. Field proven, with extensive deployment, WESCAM MX-Series designating systems offer “plug-and-play” installation, as well as high-sensitivity multi-spectral sensors for day, low-light, and night-time missions, according to the company.
High mean-time-between-failures is achieved through a diode-pumped laser target designator. WESCAM MX-Series systems offer precise geo-pointing technologies for hands-free simplicity regardless of aircraft movement or obstructions. The capability is here.