CASE STUDY
By capturing the wavelengths of light emitted by materials and objects , RAIVEN ’ s hyperspectral sensors can discern even the slightest changes in the chemical composition of the environment , providing an entirely new level of situational awareness .
“ We ’ ve approached every aspect of the system holistically to enhance it , while also adding more capability under the hood . We ’ ve been saying that we ’ ve included a little bit of everything but the kitchen sink ; it ’ s a real marvel of packaging ,” Ullrich said .
“ We started with the word ‘ raven ’ for the bird and added ‘ AI ’ in the middle . Ravens are intelligent hunters , constantly observing their prey ,” Ullrich said .
The RAIVEN turret ’ s hyperspectral imaging system creates a unique ‘ fingerprint ’ for different materials based on how they reflect and absorb light .
This enables RAIVEN to detect and analyze the chemical composition of its surroundings . The onboard AI algorithms process this data in real-time ‘ at the Edge ’, providing immediate results to the aircrews .
“ The computing power of RAIVEN allows for onboard data processing , so aircrews no longer have to send data elsewhere for post-processing ,” Ullrich said . “ They can make prompt decisions based on RAIVEN ’ s immediate detections .”
RAIVEN , specifically the RT-1000 or RAIVEN Turret 1000 , is designed for the US Army ’ s Future Vertical Lift variations of Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft , and it is scheduled for its first flight in 2024 .
However , the architecture of RAIVEN allows for scalability , making it adaptable to various platform installations and mission requirements .
“ The beauty of this architecture lies in its versatility . We can employ the same electronics , software , and sensors in different configurations , allowing us to plugand-play other sensors as needed ,” said Ullrich . “ We can scale up or down based on the specific platform and mission requirements . The team has truly embraced the open systems architecture that our customers demand .”
Hyperspectral technology is particularly valuable for military aircrews as it can rapidly and accurately identify objects on the ground or in the air , even in challenging lighting or weather conditions . It can detect various types of vegetation , manmade materials like metal or plastic , and even human skin or hair .
With its hyperspectral and LiDAR capabilities , combined with powerful AI algorithms , RAIVEN provides operators with enhanced situational awareness , real-time data processing , and the ability to detect and identify objects that were previously invisible or simply out of range . Its versatility and scalability make it an asset across a range of military platforms .
In addition to hyperspectral technology , RAIVEN incorporates LiDAR , or Light Detection and Ranging , to further enhance situational awareness for aircrews . LiDAR uses laser pulses to measure distances to objects , creating a detailed 3D map of the environment .
“ RAIVEN will empower our aircrews with unprecedented capabilities , ensuring they have the information they need to make critical decisions in today ’ s complex battlespace ,” Ullrich said . p
The integration of LiDAR into RAIVEN provides aircrews with an additional layer of safety during missions , reducing the risk of accidents or collisions . It helps in detecting and avoiding obstacles such as wires , buildings , or trees , which is crucial during low-level flight or in complex terrains .
By swiftly analyzing and processing LiDAR data , RAIVEN ’ s AI algorithms identify potential threats and present them to the operator , reducing their workload and allowing them to focus on critical tasks .
While the company has modernized the sensors for traditional full-motion video , it has also upgraded them to 4K resolution . By utilizing smaller pixels and larger apertures , the resolution has been improved , enabling aircrews to discern objects at even greater distances .
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