Air Force Awards Research Contract to Black Sage Technologies to Investigate Lidar for Counter-Drone Applications
BOISE, ID, UNITED STATES, December 14, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Black Sage Technologies announced the award of a $4.5M contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to investigate novel lidar sensing solutions that improve drone detection and discrimination. Black Sage, a leading provider of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), and Spectral Sensor Solutions (S3), a leading provider of lidar-based threat sensing capabilities, are teamed to conduct the research program named: Lidar Unmanned Aerial System Detection and Discrimination (LUASDD).
“Our approach to C-UAS has always been a layered approach that fuses data from multiple sensors such as radar, electro-optical (EO) / infrared (IR) cameras, and passive RF sensors,” said Tim Morris, Black Sage Program Manager for LUASDD.
“Lidar brings another layer of sensor data that can potentially address threat detection scenarios and environmental conditions that present challenges to radar or EO/IR sensors.”
S3 develops state-of-the-art high-power long-range lidar solutions that utilize multiple active sensing techniques. One example is the real-time Eye safe Visualization Evaluation and Analysis Lidar (REVEAL) used for standoff detection and identification of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) threats. “Our lidar systems are routinely integrated into layered defensive solutions, making adapting our REVEAL sensor and integrating the data products a natural fit for our team,” said Jeff Pruitt, Program Manager for S3.
The lidar research and experimentation will be conducted at Black Sage’s new test facility, Sage Works. “Sage Works was built to emulate a Forward Operating Base (FOB) incorporating a complete C-UAS system within a significant uncontrolled airspace and land use for our Red team to test and evaluate operationally relevant profiles,” said Marshal Minder, Director of Integration at Black Sage. “Sage Works is a crucial component of our ability to evaluate emerging threats and solutions in support of our customers.”
About Black Sage Technologies and Acorn Growth Companies:
Black Sage Technologies, acquired by Acorn Growth Companies in 2019, is a leading developer of C-UAS solutions that identify, classify, track, and defeat UAS threats for military, government, law enforcement, and civil applications. Black Sage employs a hardware-agnostic approach to integrating best-of-breed sensors with its proprietary artificial intelligence-enabled target tracking and defense automation systems to provide adaptable, end-to-end C-UAS systems. https://blacksagetech.com/
Acorn Growth Companies is a middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on the aerospace, defense, intelligence, and space markets. Acorn invests in operating companies that strive to enhance global mobility, protect national interests, and develop next-generation intelligence-gathering technology. Acorn has a proven reputation in the industry and is recognized for its deep understanding of the aerospace and defense markets. Few other private equity buyers enjoy the same level of knowledge, relationships, and reputation within the AD&I sector. With operational expertise and the ability to lead and manage investments through variable economic and industry cycles, Acorn works in tandem with management to build its portfolio companies into significant market leaders. https://acorngrowthcompanies.com
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Richard Sanchez
Black Sage Tech
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