Maritime Visual Analytics (MVA) for Airborne Search and Rescue

This project transitions UC’s Maritime Visual Analytics (MVA) technology to aid rescue operations, by detecting all non-water contacts from an airborne platform using a passive EO/IR camera. MVA has been commercialized for surface-to-surface maritime detection. The technology readily applies to detecting objects in the water from the air which has USAF and civilian applications for peacetime and wartime recovery operations. Additionally, the passive nature of the camera is potentially useful in recovery missions. There is already an ecosystem of products for search and rescue, such as radio and satellite radio beacons. There are also active sensors that can be used. The problem of rescue however is so critical that this additional capability will only strengthen the ability of human-technology teams to rescue people quickly. The goal is to completely transitioned the air-to-surface detection by Phase-II. The technology has been verified, it is already financially sustainable, and it addresses a critical USAF and civilian need. Specifically, we want to target the Guardian Angels and the platforms used by them for technology transition.