Sentient ViDAR Demonstrated to European Maritime Surveillance Agencies

By Mike Ball / 04 Jul 2017

ViDAR Optical Radar

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
UAS with Sentient ViDAR
Follow UST

UAS with Sentient ViDAR

Sentient has announced that it has demonstrated its ViDAR airborne optical radar system to European maritime surveillance agencies, with a ViDAR-equipped Insitu ScanEagle RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) detecting and tracking small boats and people in the water on a trial at Huelva, Spain.

Representatives of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) saw the ViDAR equipped ScanEagle detect and cue a range of representative targets over a broad search area, on missions representative of border control, anti-drug trafficking, illegal fishing detection and search and rescue operations.

During the evaluation, ViDAR successfully autonomously detected all targets, including fast RIBs, fishing vessels, rubber rafts and people in the water. Using ViDAR, the ScanEagle detected fishing vessels out beyond 14 nautical miles and a life raft in 35 knot winds with 6 feet swells in a very short time period.

ViDAR is Sentient’s airborne high-resolution digital surveillance system, scanning a 180-degree arc ahead of an air vehicle and autonomously detecting, tracking and alerting ground-based operators to surface contacts in real time.

Added to ScanEagle as a plug-and-play modular airframe “slice”, ViDAR provides ground stations with an image and location coordinate of each detected object, allowing operators to detect, classify and identify targets in seconds and cross-cue the spotter sensor for closer inspection if desired.

ViDAR enables over 80 times the sortie area coverage of existing optical systems, effectively turning small Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems into effective wide area surveillance assets.

“Illegal fishing along with Search and Rescue are some of the challenges facing Europe at the moment, rightly forming a big part of this evaluation in Spain,” said Simon Olsen, Sentient’s Director of Business Development, Strategy and Partnerships.

During illegal fishing demonstrations, ViDAR not only successfully detected the fishing buoys placed by EMSA for the evaluation, but managed to detect over 50 others in the process that happened to be out that afternoon. ViDAR consistently and persistently detected vessels, fishing buoys, rafts and people in the water in a wide variety of weather and environmental conditions. “Fast detection by ViDAR of these tiny targets over vast areas of ocean is set to change the game back in favor of the authorities in the protection of Europe’s fishing stocks and the safety of people lost at sea,” said Olsen.

The trial in Spain follows on from similar demonstrations as a part of Unmanned Warrior to the Royal Navy, and to the US Coast Guard.

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Advanced AI-Powered Drone, Autopilot & Hardware Solutions

Airvolute's open-architecture NVIDIA-based autopilots and UAS platforms have been utilized by NATO members as well as some of the world’s leading aerospace and defence companies

Apr 25, 2025
Most Read Articles on UST This Week

Here’s our round-up of the five most read articles on UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com this week

Apr 25, 2025
Nanomotion’s Velox Gimbal Enhances Border Surveillance Capabilities

Discover how Nanomotion’s Velox gimbal is enhancing drone surveillance with unmatched coverage, stability, and tracking—ideal for advanced border security operations

Apr 25, 2025
How NDAA Compliance Is Influencing UAV Component Sourcing

Mejzlik Propellers explains how evolving regulations and trade rules are leading UAV manufacturers to pursue more secure, compliant sourcing strategies for components

Apr 25, 2025
Nearthlab Joins Red Cat Futures Initiative to Advance Drone Technology

Nearthlab has partnered with Red Cat Holdings, joining the Red Cat Futures Initiative to advance next-gen uncrewed aircraft systems and contribute to U.S. defense and security innovations

Apr 25, 2025
Klein Marine Systems Integrates Exail Navigation Solution into Side Scan Sonar

Klein Marine Systems has integrated Exail’s advanced AHRS into its 5900 sonar, enhancing accuracy, stability, and efficiency for demanding underwater mapping missions

Apr 24, 2025

Featured Content

Apollo & Moonrock Launch $122.5m Drone, eVTOL Insurance Facility

Apollo and Moonrock take the lead on new $122.5m drone, eVTOL and aviation innovation insurance facility

Apr 22, 2025
ParaZero Unveils Advanced Parachute Recovery System

ParaZero launches the SafeAir M4, an advanced parachute recovery system designed for the DJI Matrice 4, enhancing drone safety, compliance, and mission readiness

Apr 17, 2025
Compact High Resolution MWIR Zoom Lens Released for UAV & ISR Platforms

MKS Instruments introduces the Ophir SupIR 10-135mm f/1.8 zoom lens, engineered for compact MWIR systems demanding long-range detection and high-resolution thermal imaging

Apr 17, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.