Surface Optics Corporation is exhibiting at this year’s FATHOMWERX Summit, held at the Port of Hueneme in Ventura County, California, on October 15 and 16. FATHOMWERX, aims to foster collaboration between industry, academia, the Department of the Navy, and allied forces.
At the summit, Surface Optics will demonstrate the Spectral Imaging UAV Detection Sensor (SUADS), a multispectral imaging system designed to detect and track small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in challenging environments.
This year’s event marks the culmination of three months of technology exercises conducted under ANTX (Advanced Naval Technology Exercise) and Coastal Trident. ANTX is designed to accelerate information exchange and reduce implementation risk through real-world technology testing, while Coastal Trident focuses on operational research to address emerging threats to port and maritime security.
SUADS was successfully tested during the ANTX Coastal Trident field exercise, marking its advancement to Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL-6) as it proved effective in operationally relevant maritime and desert scenarios.
Spectral Imaging UAV Detection Sensor
SUADS is a mission-specific implementation of Surface Optics’ proprietary LightShift technology—designed specifically for reliable UAV detection in dynamic, cluttered airspace.
Key features include:
- Spectral discrimination through an expandable library of UAV material signatures to adapt as UAV designs evolve
- Real-time full-field tracking operating at 120 Hz and able to detect multiple UAVs simultaneously
- All-weather, day/night performance for operation through haze, fog, and obscurants
- Fully Passive with no electromagnetic emissions for stealth operations
- Detection range up to 10 km with over 90% accuracy and fewer than 10% false alarms