Innovative Directed Energy Counter UAS Solution Integrated Into Proven Detection, Tracking, and Targeting System

The proliferation of low-cost highly capable drone systems creates a critical challenge for the Air Force and Department of Defense. These autonomous systems, equipped with commercial cameras and infrared sensor systems, pose a significant surveillance and operational security risk to our military. The Department of Defense has over 750 bases worldwide and each of them is under threat from sUAS and drones. This was highlighted when, in early 2021, The Pentagon released a new strategy to counter increasingly complex small drone threats. AFWERX went further and recognized the need for solutions to secure airfield operations against the threats and hazards of small UAS systems, stating there is a need for “leveraging automation to strengthen the airfield perimeter security.” With hundreds of bases and thousands of operational sites active worldwide, the Air Force needs a low-cost, yet highly effective, solution for counteracting the threat of intelligence collection by UAS and drone systems. Immobileyes has developed HALAR Laser Storm, a new approach to deny, degrade and deceive multiple sensors using directed energy. It is a patented, scalable, and programmable laser-emitting device capable of projecting a “shower” of multiple wavelength laser beams adapted to overwhelm multiple sensors. It offers a novel approach in the use of multiple laser lights as a force multiplier for counter surveillance, counter unmanned aerial systems, and other value-added Air Force applications. In this project, Immobileyes will team with University of Central Florida and Lighthouse Avionics to test the feasibility of adapting its machine learning identification, classification and targeting technology to “Track and Blind” multiple UAVs in a low C-SWaP system. Notably, the proposed effort will incorporate the adaptations and improvements recommended by a panel of USAF experts engaged during Immobileyes’ Phase I Feasibility Study.  Air Force Stakeholders from SFSs, AFSFC, AFRL, AFSOC, AFWERX, and other  interested parties, have formed a collaboration to provide direct support, feedback, and guidance for the development and execution of this project.  Specifically for this project, Immobileyes has partnered with the 72nd Security Forces Squadron at Tinker AFB as the project’s representative signatories and TPOC.  The 72nd SFS have established the only known Defender Spark Cell in the Air Force and are building a Security Forces directed technology test, evaluation, and insertion capability.  They have committed to be the representative Customer and End-User for the project and provide a TPOC for the project.  They are closely aligned with the AFWERX , AFSFC, and the AFRL Stakeholders requesting the DAF adaptation of the Immobileyes’ cUAS solution. Together, this group of Stakeholders represent the champions who will shepherd this project from an R&D Phase II to an impactful Air Force acquisition-ready solution upon completion of the project.