Sikorsky to evolve capability of Australian-made ViDAR
Optical radar system to be refined for use by MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.
Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky has selected the Visual Detection and Ranging (ViDAR) ISR system from Australia-based Sentient Vision Systems for testing and development, with a view to integration with sensor suites aboard the MH-60R Seahawk (pictured with HMAS Adelaide in the background).
Described by Lockheed Martin Australia as the ‘world’s first Optical Radar’, ViDAR is a persistent wide-area motion imaging system designed to autonomously detect, geolocate, track and classify objects over vast areas of terrain below an aircraft or UAS.
Sikorsky will work with Sentient to further evolve the capability of ViDAR as a tailored solution. Users of the technology already include the Royal Australian Navy and US Coast Guard.
Lockheed Martin previously worked with Sentient on R&D integration and testing of its Kestrel detection software for ViDAR.
Kestrel was successfully trialled in the MH-60R Software Integration Lab for consideration of future Seahawk capability enhancements.
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