Theta Informatics & DEVCOM ARL Sign CRADA for Vision-Based Target Localization

Theta Informatics LLC has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL) to conduct research under an initial Joint Work Statement titled “Vision-Based Target Localization.”

The agreement establishes a formal research relationship between the Atlanta-based company and one of the Army’s leading science and technology organizations. It follows more than six years of private research and development by Theta Informatics in drone remote sensing and geospatial intelligence.

The work addresses a growing challenge in modern defense: how to maneuver under constant observation, transition toward data-centric warfare, and adapt more rapidly as emerging technologies reshape the battlefield. This challenge was highlighted in public remarks by Gen. James Rainey, former commander of Army Futures Command. On October 2, 2025, Army Futures Command was absorbed into the Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM), where work on this challenge continues.

Theta’s OpenAthena™ software is central to this effort. According to the company, OpenAthena Core uses a passive terrain-raycast technique to geolocate ground objects from drone imagery. It combines onboard camera and sensor data with digital terrain models in real time, enabling drones to geolocate observed objects without requiring a laser rangefinder module or significant additional processing power.

The Joint Work Statement reflects a fundamental research effort, with DEVCOM ARL leading front-end computer vision work and Theta Informatics integrating and refining the OpenAthena Core localization component.

Matthew Krupczak, President of Theta Informatics LLC, commented, “Executing this CRADA with DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory is a meaningful step for Theta. We believe the battlefield is becoming more transparent, more software-defined, and more demanding of systems that can turn sensor data into useful information quickly. OpenAthena was built around that problem, and we’re proud to begin this research relationship with ARL.”

He added, “For a small dual-use and defense technology company, moments like this matter. They help validate that the operational problems we are focused on are real, timely, and worth serious research attention. The agreement reflects Theta’s commitment to delivering impactful capabilities to U.S. and allied warfighters through public and private sector partnership.”