Thales-Skydweller to Develop AI-Based Aerial Surveillance Solution

Skydweller and Thales have decided to strengthen their collaboration by equipping Skydweller’s unmanned solar powered aircraft (MAPS) with a new solution consisting of the AirMaster S radar, equipped with Artificial Intelligence features allowing optimal and autonomous adaptation to the specific flight conditions.

This innovative solution combines a solar-powered extreme endurance aerial platform with next-generation surveillance intelligence, to set a new standard in autonomous, ultra-persistent maritime surveillance. The Skydweller MAPS (medium-altitude pseudo-satellite), an autonomous aircraft with an unrivalled payload carrying capacity (up to 400kg unlike all other solar powered aircraft lacking real payload capability) is capable of flights from weeks to months, destroying the tyranny of distance with no carbon emissions. This capability allows for almost continuous maritime coverage, extending the scope of surveillance missions that require both persistence and operational performance.

Thales will equip the MAPS Skydweller with the AirMaster S radar system and its advanced Smart Radar capabilities, whose intelligent functions have already been proven on board the ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft. Operating in X-band with AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array Antenna) technology, the AirMaster S radar offers significant operational advantages such as immediate and accurate assessment of land, air or sea situation.

The radar also features auto-tuning capabilities based on flight and mission conditions, perfectly suited to the Skydweller drone’s persistence in flight. Its AI-based target classification feature can detect points of interest among a large volume of data and reduce the amount of information that needs to be transmitted to the ground.

Thanks to its ability to fly uninterrupted for weeks to months, the MAPS Skydweller solar powered unmanned aircraft allows a permanent presence in sensitive areas. It complements the resources already available (satellites, other types of drones, aircraft, etc.) and makes it possible to redirect resources according to the missions.

“The combination of Thales’ AirMaster S Smart radar with the MAPS Skydweller will make it possible to change the paradigm for surveillance missions, by offering a unique solution to current sovereignty challenges. We welcome this alliance and think it will be greater to security to NATO, the EU, and allies of western democracies,” said chief commercial officer for Europe Middle East & Africa, Sébastien Renouard.

“We are delighted with this collaboration, which demonstrates the value of our Artificial Intelligence capabilities in the field of radars, which, combined with the innovative Skydweller MAPS, represent a real technological breakthrough for surveillance missions,” said executive vice president, Defence Mission Systems, Thales, Philippe Duhamel.