UMS Skeldar has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Australian computer software company Sentient Vision System to deploy Visual identification Detection and Ranging (ViDAR) solutions on its unmanned system Skeldar V-200.

UMS Skeldar is the only provider of multi-platform remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) across Europe, and the Skeldar V-200 is the only heavy fuel engine vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft in its class.

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The company will integrate the world’s first optical radar system ViDAR in a customised multi-camera configuration with Skeldar V-200 as part of the new agreement.

UMS Skeldar Business Development head David Willems said: “As we develop our maritime customer base, ViDAR is complementary to our on-board and payload capabilities, and will play an important role in developing our footprint for both intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and search and rescue (SAR) operations.”

The company will install five to ten cameras under the deal, thereby providing between 180° and an optimal 360° maritime domain awareness for the first time.

"ViDAR is complementary to our on-board and payload capabilities, and will play an important role in developing our footprint for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance."

ViDAR technology functions as a wide-area autonomous detection system for electro-optic imagery in the maritime domain, providing coverage for more than 80 times the ocean’s surface compared with existing electro-optic sensors.

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The Sentient system transforms the utility of tactical unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) by offering them a ‘find’ function to detect objects in the ocean.

Its optical radar can also be used to autonomously scan the ocean around the air vehicle, identifying any object on the surface of the water in real-time.

The Ground Control Station operators are then autonomously provided with an image and a location coordinate of each object detected.

Image: ViDAR system deployed on SKELDAR V-200 UAS. Photo: courtesy of UMS SKELDAR.

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