Shield AI, Sentient Vision collaborate on AI-enabled wide-area imagery
The V-BAT UAS will carry Sentient Vision Systems' ViDAR sensor. (Photo: USN)
Shield AI and Sentient Vision Systems will jointly develop a wide area motion imagery (WAMI) solution, integrating Sentient's Visual Detection and Ranging (ViDAR) onto Shield AI's V-BAT UAS.
Under the plan the companies will offer the system to the Australian DoD and US DoD as well as international customers through joint development and integration of ViDAR-enabled, wide-area-search capability onto Shield AI’s V-BAT unmanned aircraft. This will enable V-BAT to intelligently classify, track and read and react to targets in dynamic missions.
ViDAR is Sentient’s AI system, which uses an EO/IR sensor to detect and classify targets that would be invisible to a human operator or a conventional radar. With these enhanced capabilities in detection, V-BAT will offer a level of capability that significantly bolsters threat deterrence. It is planned to fly ViDAR on V-BAT in 2024.
ViDAR is already in use on UAVs, notably it has been deployed on Royal Australian Navy Insitu ScanEagles, and other platforms. The Kestrel ViDAR system is part of the sensor suite for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Challenger 604 SAR jet aircraft.
Related Articles
Martin UAV announces launch of V-Bat 128
Enhanced V-Bat spreads its wings
Sentient has worked with Insitu since as far back as 2015 when, during a demonstration, the system detected objects including a fast boat over 9nmi away from the aircraft and a fishing vessel at 14nmi.
V-BAT 128 has been ordered by Canada and Brazil with deliveries to both countries believed to have begun. The V-BAT 118 is in the running to meet the US Army’s requirement to procure a Future Tactical UAS to replace the Textron Systems RQ-7Bv2 Shadow.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Italy moves to procure third batch of 29 AW249 helicopters]()
Italy moves to procure third batch of 29 AW249 helicopters
The €1.22 billion (US$1.41 billion) follow-on order for the additional helicopters will complement the 19 AW249 already ordered by Italy.
-
![Australia starts upgrade programme for P-8A Poseidon fleet]()
Australia starts upgrade programme for P-8A Poseidon fleet
The upgrades will work to strengthen the country’s maritime surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities, with one more aircraft due to be delivered by 2026.
-
![Textron firms up potential bid for US Navy Undergraduate trainer contract]()
Textron firms up potential bid for US Navy Undergraduate trainer contract
The company has said it would assemble its Beechcraft M-346N aircraft at its east Wichita campus with significant investment placed to modernise the hub if it wins the contract.
-
![Airbus to position Eurofighter Typhoon for Portugal’s F-16 replacement requirement]()
Airbus to position Eurofighter Typhoon for Portugal’s F-16 replacement requirement
The MoU with AED Cluster Portugal will see the two organisations work together on studies to create a pitch to replace the country’s current F-16 fleet.
-
![PGZ and Anduril to work on Polish variant of Barracuda-500M missile]()
PGZ and Anduril to work on Polish variant of Barracuda-500M missile
The memorandum of understanding signed also included a wider strategic plan to co-develop autonomous air systems for the Polish Armed Forces.
