L3Harris, Shield AI Demonstrate AI-Powered System to Defeat Unmanned Threats

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L3Harris Technologies and Shield AI successfully demonstrated an artificial intelligence-enabled drone detection system during the Department of War’s recent Technology Readiness Experimentation event.

This test event showed the system can more quickly detect hostile drones at longer ranges than current systems, even if the drones are partially obscured by buildings or clouds. L3Harris tested the passive capabilities using WESCAM MX™-Series electro-optical/infrared sensors integrated with Shield AI’s Tracker counter-UAS software to detect multiple classes of unmanned aerial systems.

“Our warfighters and allies are facing a new breed of unmanned threats that require faster responses at greater ranges without being detected themselves,” said Tom Kirkland, Vice President and General Manager, Targeting and Sensor Systems, L3Harris. “Partnering with Shield AI enables combat-proven targeting systems like the WESCAM MX-Series to be more effective and provide added protection to operators.”

“Adversaries are fielding more drones, cheaper and in more complex environments than ever before,” said Christian Gutierrez, Vice President, Hivemind Solutions, Shield AI. “Defeating that threat requires technology that is intelligent, adaptable and passive, and this collaboration with L3Harris brings together the strengths of autonomy and sensing to meet that urgent operational need.”

The next phase of this collaboration will include fine-tuning different airborne object behavior models to enhance performance tracking across air, land and maritime domains during daytime and nighttime operations. The AI-powered capability will be integrated with the L3Harris VAMPIRE™ Counter-Unmanned System designed to defend against small drones.