AI-Enabled Detection System Set To Replace Aging Airspace Awareness System

August 16, 2023

Execution of new fielding and funding strategies will lead to the delivery of a cutting-edge surveillance, identification, and tracking system that monitors and defends the controlled airspace around Washington, D.C. part of the National Capital Region-Integrated Air Defense System (NCR-IADS).

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)-led prototype is an AI-based visual recognition and identification system that delivers a tenfold increase in performance capability compared to the legacy system, while cutting the projected sustainment costs in half - freeing up funds for future technology upgrades.

The timeline for fielding the improved integrated camera system has accelerated by several years due to a critical $16.77 million funding award via the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) in May of this year.

After an 18 month prototype that concluded after reaching a final decision in April 2023, Teleidoscope, a first-time, non-traditional DoD vendor has been awarded a $100 million ceiling production contract with orders of the system already in progress.

Teleidoscope is a California-based company that provides complete tracking, targeting, autonomy and imaging systems, originally focusing on, and supporting customers in the commercial augmented reality sector. Teleidoscope specializes in advanced tracking, targeting and autonomy software, and mating this to state of the art platforms and sensors, including EO/IR, radar amongst others.

DIU’s prototype process and APFIT funding allows the Program Executive Office for Digital to field the update, and to procure the majority of the required cameras and AI/ML systems in FY23 for the Joint Air Defense Operations Center enhancing surveillance, identification, and tracking capabilities.

The new systems leverage commercial market advancements in cameras, computer vision, augmented reality and machine learning, to greatly improve the air defense operator’s ability to detect, identify and track aircraft.

The NCR-IADS modernization effort focuses on upgrading the cameras and eye-safe lasers used for tracking and visually warning aircraft in violation of the special flight rules within the NCR. The updates significantly improve air defense operators’ ability to positively identify aircraft and aim warning lasers at much further ranges.

The auto-tracking capabilities of the system are applicable to full-motion-video feeds, regardless of the domain, opening the door to augment remotely piloted aircraft video feed tracking capabilities. This prototype has the potential to run on any edge device, or cloud-provided full-motion video feed.

The technology has broad national defense applicability across the Services for both defense against asymmetric and near-peer threats like UAS and cruise missiles.

“The partnership between our NCR-IADS program office and DIU has not only been exciting - but essential to our success,” said Lt. Col. Kurtis Engelson, U.S. Air Force and the materiel lead for Battle Control Systems. “The leadership and support from DIU’s top-notch acquisition professionals has been instrumental in the prototyping effort for the camera and visual warning system - and...we’re looking forward to the next stage advancing past prototyping to production of the new systems with Teleidoscope.”

This seamless transition into production has been made possible by the vote of confidence from the Director of OSD R&E and the $16.7 million APFIT funds, added Engelson. "These funds are paramount to our ability to field sharper “eyes” for the NCR’s air defenders on the earliest timetable possible.”

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