IMSAR sells UAV detect-and-avoid radar tech to Fortem

May 3, 2016  - By
Image: GPS World

IMSAR LLC, manufacturer of miniaturized synthetic aperture radar (SAR), is selling its detect and avoid radar technology to Fortem Technologies. The technology powered IMSAR’s previously announced family of collision-avoidance radar designed for the commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) market.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires an aircraft operating in civil airspace to be able to “see and avoid” other aircraft. Collision-avoidance systems seek to meet this requirement by allowing UASs to detect other airborne objects, predict potential midair collisions, and automatically maneuver the UAS to avoid catastrophes.

A radar-based sense-and-avoid solution for small UAS was previously not viable because of high cost, weight and complex technology and algorithms required. Fortem’s product will enable small UAS to avoid mid-air collisions with manned or unmanned aircraft as well as targets that lack a transponder, such as cranes, paving the way for the integration of UAS into civil airspace worldwide.

“Radar is ideally suited because it operates effectively in darkness, cloud cover, fog, smoke and precipitation,” said Britton Quist, IMSAR’s CTO.

According to Ryan Smith, CEO, IMSAR, key development milestones have been met allowing the spin out of sense and avoid to Fortem Technologies. Adam Robertson, vice president of IMSAR, will be leaving to join Fortem Technologies after nine years at IMSAR.

Fortem Technologies has announced product availability in July 2016.

Fortem and IMSAR products are on display May 2-5 at the AUVSI Xponential show in New Orleans, Booth 134.

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