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Autonomous detection, tracking, and geolocation for UAS-based situational awareness

  • Royal Military Academy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are increasingly used in both military and civilian applications for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). Pairing UAS with AI enhances their utility by automating data collection and analysis, reducing operator workload and improving resilience to jamming. This enables autonomous ISR missions in contested environments and supports multi-drone coordination. We propose a processing chain using Convolutional Neural Networks for target detection and classification, followed by tracking, re-identification, and geolocation using data fusion and precision positioning methods. The system operates in near-real-time with a custom interface, including error propagation analysis to assess subsystem performance. A live demonstration was conducted using a fully open-source UAS platform.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTarget and Background Signatures XI
Subtitle of host publicationTraditional Methods and Artificial Intelligence
EditorsKarin Stein, Maarten A. Hogervorst
PublisherSociety of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
ISBN (Electronic)9781510692855
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Oct 2025
Event11th Target and Background Signatures: Traditional Methods and Artificial Intelligence - Madrid, Spain
Duration: 15 Sept 202516 Sept 2025

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume13673
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

Conference11th Target and Background Signatures: Traditional Methods and Artificial Intelligence
Country/TerritorySpain
CityMadrid
Period15/09/2516/09/25

Keywords

  • Classification
  • Detection
  • Geolocation
  • Situational awareness
  • Tracking
  • UAV

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