Marine Instruments and CENTUM are collaborating to develop an integrated concept that brings CENTUM’s airborne signal intelligence systems to Marine Instruments’ solar-powered M5D-Airfox drone.
The companies aim to explore the concept’s potential as a surveillance, detection, and rescue tool in complex oceanic environments.
CENTUM’s technology is designed for emergency, security, and defense missions, focusing on the detection, location, and communication of mobile device signals. Its ability to turn mobile phones into emergency beacons has proven effective in over 20 countries, where it is used by both civilian and military organizations for search and rescue operations.
With its potential integration into the Airfox—a high-endurance, low-operating-cost unmanned aerial system (UAS)—the companies are presenting a new concept for security and defense missions. This solution would enable the detection and geolocation of electromagnetic signals in maritime environments, including those emitted by beacons, mobile phones, and active location or communication systems at sea.
Through this collaboration, Marine Instruments and CENTUM are strengthening their commitment to dual-use technologies that have a real impact on saving lives, ensuring maritime security, and protecting oceanic sovereignty.
Héctor Estévez, CEO of CENTUM, commented, “The combination of our technologies marks a significant advancement in aerial surveillance and rescue capabilities. This dual-use solution offers security and emergency forces an effective tool to locate individuals in critical situations, optimizing response times and deployed resources.”
Gabriel Gómez Celaya, CEO of Marine Instruments, added, “We are especially excited about this agreement with CENTUM, not only due to the clear technological complementarity between our companies but also because of our cultural proximity, aligned values, and shared mission to develop solutions for a safer and more connected world.”
The companies will present this integration concept at the International Defence and Security Exhibition (FEINDEF) 2025, held in Madrid from May 12 to 14.
