Thales and Skydweller join forces to develop an innovative aerial surveillance solution, combining Skydweller’s zero carbon footprint extreme endurance and Thales’ SMART RADAR based on Artificial Intelligence
- Skydweller and Thales are strengthening their collaboration by equipping Skydweller’s unmanned solar powered aircraft (MAPS) with a new solution consisting of the AirMaster S radar, equipped with Artificial Intelligence features allowing optimal and autonomous adaptation to the specific flight conditions.
- This innovative solution combines a solar-powered extreme endurance aerial platform with next-generation surveillance intelligence, to set a new standard in autonomous, ultra-persistent maritime surveillance.
- The Skydweller MAPS (medium-altitude pseudo-satellite), an autonomous aircraft with an unrivalled payload carrying capacity (up to 400kg unlike all other solar powered aircraft lacking real payload capability) is capable of flights from weeks to months, destroying the tyranny of distance with no carbon emissions. This capability allows for almost continuous maritime coverage, extending the scope of surveillance missions that require both persistence and operational performance.
Thales will equip the MAPS Skydweller with the AirMaster S radar system and its advanced SMART RADAR capabilities, whose intelligent functions have already been proven on board the ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft. Operating in X-band with AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array Antenna) technology, the AirMaster S radar offers significant operational advantages such as immediate and accurate assessment of land, air or sea situation.
The radar also features auto-tuning capabilities based on flight and mission conditions, perfectly suited to the Skydweller drone's persistence in flight. Its AI-based target classification feature can detect points of interest among a large volume of data and reduce the amount of information that needs to be transmitted to the ground.
Thanks to its ability to fly uninterrupted for weeks to months, the MAPS Skydweller solar powered unmanned aircraft allows a permanent presence in sensitive areas. It complements the resources already available (satellites, other types of drones, aircraft, etc.) and makes it possible to redirect resources according to the missions.
"The combination of Thales' AirMaster S Smart radar with the MAPS Skydweller will make it possible to change the paradigm for surveillance missions, by offering a unique solution to current sovereignty challenges. We welcome this alliance and think it will be greater to security to NATO, the EU, and allies of western democracies,” Sébastien Renouard, Chief Commercial Officer for Europe Middle East & Africa.
"We are delighted with this collaboration, which demonstrates the value of our Artificial Intelligence capabilities in the field of radars, which, combined with the innovative Skydweller MAPS, represent a real technological breakthrough for surveillance missions," Philippe Duhamel, Executive Vice President, Defense Mission Systems, Thales
About Skydweller
Skydweller Aero Inc. is an innovative transatlantic aerospace company that develops and manufactures a fleet of solar-powered aircraft capable of perpetual flight with significant payload capacity.
Skydwellers are autonomous aircraft made of carbon fiber, with a wingspan larger than a Boeing 747, which will be used to carry out long-duration missions such as continuous coverage of theaters of operations, surveillance of exclusive economic zones or detection of drug traffickers and pirates at sea. Powered by solar energy, Skydwellers are inexpensive to operate and maintain and have a zero carbon footprint.
Skydweller Aero Inc. is primarily backed by venture capital and private equity, has its global and U.S. headquarters in Oklahoma City and European offices in Spain. For more information about Skydweller, please visit http://www.skydweller.aero
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.
The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies. Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries.
In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.
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