Dragoon Technology is using the Prism Supervisor and Prism SKR software by Teledyne FLIR OEM to equip prototype long-range unmanned aircraft with advanced AI-driven object detection, tracking, real-time autonomy flight control, and mission planning capabilities.
The work is being carried out under Project Artemis, a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) initiative which is designed to evaluate and deploy long-range loitering munitions capable of operating in highly contested electromagnetic environments and in large numbers. Dragoon is one of four organizations within Project Artemis tasked to demonstrate low-cost, adaptable, long-range, unmanned aerial platforms with the potential to maximize operational flexibility.
Prism SKR is a cutting-edge automatic target recognition (ATR) software providing a drop-in solution for the FLIR Boson® thermal camera module that optimally addresses the seeker requirements for the Dragoon UAS platform. It operates efficiently at the edge on low-power embedded processors, and is compatible with both infrared (IR) and visible camera data. Prism SKR provides real-time target position, identification, direction of motion, and aim-point localization, guiding the platform’s autonomous flight system for various operations.
In combination, Prism Supervisor further enhances mission readiness by providing end-to-end autonomy and mission oversight. It seamlessly integrates with Dragoon’s onboard autopilot system to support real time decision-making capabilities and an intuitive mission-planning interface. The advanced autonomy in Prism Supervisor closes the loop between the on-board navigation subsystem and real-time AI-based observations to enhance UAS operational capabilities while reducing operator intervention and workload.
Jason Douglas, co-founder of Dragoon Technology, commented: “The integration of Dragoon’s Cinder unmanned aircraft — our low-cost, long-range platform — and Teledyne FLIR’s OEM Prism software unlocks new, highly autonomous mission capabilities in complex environments. By combining our platform and payload with Teledyne FLIR’s autonomy, we offer an ideal solution for the DIU Artemis project.”
Jared Faraudo, vice president of product management and programs at Teledyne FLIR OEM, noted: “Dragoon selecting Prism software for its Project Artemis work underscores our ability to deliver mission-critical capabilities for national defense. Prism SKR and Supervisor are purpose-built to enable Dragoon’s unmanned systems to perform in demanding battlefield environments, ensuring reliable performance when it matters most.”
