Teledyne FLIR Defense has expanded its Third-Party Payload Integration Program with the certification of Emesent’s Hovermap LiDAR Payload for use across its unmanned aerial systems, ground robots and radiation detection platforms.
The agreement brings Emesent’s GPS-denied 3D mapping capabilities to Teledyne FLIR Defense systems, including the SkyRanger R70 and R80D SkyRaider unmanned aerial platforms and the SUGV 325 ground robot. The Hovermap payload uses LiDAR-based simultaneous localization and mapping to generate 3D maps without GPS or external infrastructure, supporting operations in tunnels, urban structures and other enclosed or contaminated environments where GPS connectivity may be unavailable.
When mounted on the SUGV 325 ground robot, Hovermap provides real-time 3D awareness of enclosed spaces. Teledyne FLIR Defense said the payload can also be integrated with its MUVE R430 radiation detection payload on the SUGV, allowing operators to view mapped spaces alongside radiation-level data. The combined system is intended to support chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response teams by providing a geo-referenced view of areas where radiation levels are elevated while keeping personnel outside hazardous environments.
“Knowing the shape of a space is powerful. Knowing where the radiation is within that space, in real time, without putting a person in harm’s way, is an operational game-changer,” said Stefan Hrabar, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Emesent. “Our partnership with Teledyne FLIR Defense brings together GPS-denied mapping and radiation detection in a way that directly addresses what CBRN operators need in the field.”
Tung Ng, vice president of Unmanned Systems North America for Teledyne FLIR Defense, said the integration is intended to give operators a fused spatial view of threat environments. He said certified third-party payloads such as Hovermap are part of the company’s approach to expanding mission-specific capabilities through an open-architecture development ecosystem.
Certified payloads in Teledyne FLIR Defense’s program are assessed for mechanical fit, electrical interface, software compatibility and flight performance. The companies said the partnership also provides a technical basis for future work on autonomous navigation and additional multi-sensor fusion capabilities beyond radiation detection.
