Insitu UAVs to get Sentient’s ViDAR
Sentient Vision Systems and Insitu have signed an exclusive global distribution agreement for Sentient’s Visual Detection and Ranging (ViDAR) software for Insitu's tactical UAVs, Sentient announced on 6 June.
The ViDAR payload will be incorporated into Insitu’s fleet of UAVs, beginning with the Boeing Insitu ScanEagle small, long-endurance UAV. ViDAR is an autonomous detection system used for electro-optic imagery in maritime operations. It provides a 'find' function to tactical UAVs and claims to provide coverage of the ocean surface that 80 times greater than current electro-optic sensors.
ViDAR can be modularly fit into the ScanEagle, in a 'slice' that consists of a large digital video camera at the rear that continuously scans the ocean across 180 degrees in front of the UAV. The inbuilt software autonomously detects objects on the ocean surface and provides an image and coordinates of a detected object in real-time to the ground control station. The primary sensors can be cross-cued to the object by clicking on the image.
Don Williamson, vice president, ScanEagle product line, Insitu, said: ‘For two decades, Insitu has been at the forefront of customer-inspired innovation. Adding ViDAR’s capability to ScanEagle demonstrates our focus on continuing to deliver mission-critical technology for our global customer’s maritime ISR needs.’
Simon Olsen, director, business development, strategy and partnerships, Sentient, said: ‘The inability to find objects on the ocean’s surface has placed a huge limitation on the utility of tactical UAS. ViDAR literally changes the game. Fast boats, rubber rafts or even a person in the water – ViDAR finds them all – and does so at a fraction of the size and cost of existing technologies.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
