In-House AI Sensor Suite Bolsters UAS Performance

Danish defense technology company Sky-Watch showcased its recently developed Zentra Sensor Suite at DALO Industry Days, a new generation of AI-powered sensor systems for advanced unmanned aircraft systems designed to deliver superior operational performance and strengthen European supply chain resilience.

The modern battlefield is evolving rapidly, creating a growing gap between fast-moving operational requirements and traditional defence systems plagued by long development cycles. To address the demand for adaptable technology, Sky-Watch engineered the Zentra Sensor Suite entirely in-house, combining advanced image processing, edge computing, and AI-powered analytics with a modular software platform. This internal development allows for continuous software upgrades and the rapid integration of operator feedback into operational capabilities without relying on external suppliers.

“We chose to develop this technology ourselves because we could not find solutions on the market that met both our own requirements and the operational needs of our defence customers. They demand superior operational performance together with the assurance that critical components originate from a resilient European and NATO-based supply chain. We can now deliver both,” commented Martin Schousboe, CEO of Sky-Watch.

Rather than operating as standalone hardware, the sensors function as part of an integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability. Within this framework, the UAV platform, sensors, software, user interface, and operator feedback act as a unified system focused on how quickly operational data can be processed and transformed into tactical decisions.

The Zentra hardware family includes combined electro-optical and thermal (EO/IR) systems featuring image fusion, super resolution, and specialized image enhancement for low-visibility conditions such as fog and haze. Additionally, the suite incorporates dedicated navigation sensors designed to support autonomous navigation in environments where satellite signals are unavailable or unreliable.

“Defence is no longer just about platforms. It is about controlling the technologies that create operational effect. By developing both hardware and software ourselves, we can respond faster to emerging requirements, integrate AI more rapidly and provide our customers with greater confidence in the resilience of their supply chain,” said Martin Schousboe.

This hardware and software strategy aligns with Sky-Watch’s broader technology direction, which includes the recently introduced RQ-70 long-range unmanned aircraft system built on the battlefield-proven RQ-35 UAV platform and four years of active operational experience in Ukraine. The Zentra Sensor Suite was presented as an integrated component of the company’s ISR portfolio at the DALO Industry Days exhibition in Herning, Denmark.