Sentient, based in Melbourne, Australia, signed a long-term licensing agreement with Boeing subsidiary Insitu to integrate Kestrel land and maritime automated detection software systems into Insitu’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
Currently deployed as a separate product, Kestel operates adjacent to Insitu systems. The incorporation of Kestrel software into Insitu’s UAS will enhance operator effectiveness to utilize a much larger field of regard.
“Kestrel is an important capability multiplier for our UAS to provide ISR over extended periods,” said Insitu President and CEO Steve Morrow. “Kestrel’s ability to detect very small targets within the field of view significantly increases the coverage of ScanEagle and Integrator offering substantial value to the customer.”
Kestrel provides an automated target detection capability in both land and maritime domains. Kestrel Land MTI specializes in detecting moving targets within the field of view of an electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensor and has extensive experience in both Afghanistan and Iraq with the U.S. and its allies. Kestrel Maritime automatically detects objects on the surface of the ocean, including small boats and people.
“Many ScanEagle customers already use Kestrel to provide an automated detection functionality and are very satisfied with the results,” said Simon Olsen, Sentient. “This agreement allows customers to benefit from the two technologies working together seamlessly to enhance airborne ISR missions.”