Insitu to integrate ViDAR payload into unmanned aircraft

US-based Insitu is set to integrate visual detection and ranging (ViDAR) payload into its unmanned systems in a bid to enhance maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

ViDAR is a wide area autonomous detection system for electro-optic imagery in the maritime domain.

Insitu’s ScanEagle unmanned aircraft will be the first to use ViDAR payload, followed by other unmanned aircraft from the company’s fleet.

ScanEagle features a large backplane digital video camera that continuously scans the ocean in a 180-degree arc in front of the air vehicle.

Developed by Sentient Vision Systems, the software used in ViDAR autonomously detects any object on the surface of the ocean, thus providing the ground control station with an image and location coordinate of each object detected in real time.

The primary sensor can then be cross-cued to the object by simply clicking on the image, the company said.

Insitu ScanEagle product line vice-president Don Williamson said: "Adding ViDAR’s capability to ScanEagle demonstrates our focus on continuing to deliver mission-critical technology for our global customer’s maritime ISR needs."

The ViDAR software was built into a ScanEagle payload by Hood Technologies.

Sentient business development, strategy and partnerships director Simon Olsen said: "Insitu, Hood Technologies and Sentient have collaborated to bring this capability to airborne maritime operators.

"The experience Insitu brings to tactical maritime UAS operations makes them the perfect partner to help provide a better solution to airborne maritime customers."

During demonstrations, ViDAR has autonomously detected a fishing vessel at 14nm, a fast boat at more than 9 nm and spout of a whale at 1.5 nm from the aircraft.

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Image: Sentient’s ViDAR payload enhances ScanEagle’s maritime capability. Photo: courtesy of PRNewsFoto/Insitu, Inc.