Edge Autonomy Hosts Ribbon Cutting at Expanded Office in Huntsville, Alabama

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) are playing an increasingly critical role in the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that take place across complex landscapes around the globe. Whether the ISR mission is a military operation or an effort by border control agents or search-and-rescue teams, UAVs increase the situational awareness that leads to timely and effective decision-making in situations where the stakes are high. What makes uncrewed systems such a crucial tool for achieving an in-field advantage? Developed to carry a wide variety of payloads, UAVs facilitate the gathering and transmission of accurate data to key human actors in real or near-real time for a distinct in-field advantage.

Optical gimbal cameras are often the payload of choice for ISR missions. With a multitude of sensors (color and IR), laser pointers and range finders, geolocation capabilities, image stabilization, optical and digital zoom, and real-time data transmission, these cameras are ideal for a real-time data exchange that provides critical information to decision-makers in the field.  

Automated Tracking to Support the Operator and the Mission

Endurance flight times for small UAV can reach upwards of 20 hours, which means long shifts for the operator to monitor live footage—a mentally taxing endeavor. Two real-time data transmission features that can ease this burden and support those leading the mission are Moving Target Indicator and Object Tracking.

A Moving Target Indicator (MTI) is a comprehensive software function that uses onboarding image processing for data that is transmitted to the ground control station. By clearly differentiating between a moving target and background clutter, MTI provides the human decision-maker with clearer and more actionable intel. When using this feature, the operator is able to select modes such as “large object MTI” or “small object MTI” to more easily spot objects of varying sizes during an ISR mission. In either mode, these objects will not drift out of the UAV’s sights even when the angle or loitering position changes.

Large object MTI specifically helps the operator detect vehicles, drones, planes, and human targets. During a fast-paced mission, this data gives the operator a vital edge. User friendly and quick to respond, large object MTI can be easily switched to “tracking mode” on the indicated object while also continuing to observe and track other moving objects in the frame. This unique ability to toggle between multiple objects allows the operator to focus on the main target without losing coverage on additional moving objects that may provide essential intelligence.

 Small object MTI, on the other hand, assists the operator in challenging environments where the terrain is homogenous (for example, a dense forest), thus making it more difficult for a human operator to detect small or slow-moving targets. This feature automatically extracts valuable intelligence from the video stream in real time, allowing the operator to locate objects in a landscape that is complex or otherwise challenging. Small object MTI helps the operator review images at a much faster rate, allowing for swift yet accurate judgment calls that are crucial to mission success. This feature is especially beneficial in search-and-rescue missions where every passing second could be the difference between life and death. Once the target is located, the operator can zoom in to activate automatic object tracking and relay critical information to the rest of the team.

Whether the ISR  objective is executing military surveillance, locating missing persons during a natural disaster, or monitoring suspicious activity on a national border, payload cameras with Moving Target Indicator and Object Tracking features are not merely the human operator’s “eyes in the sky”—they are an advanced tool that improves situational awareness and accurate data transmission at a speed that can save lives and increase the likelihood of mission success. Edge Autonomy is committed to robust innovations that allow teams to share data and communicate more effectively, thereby improving the outcome of ISR missions in a variety of environments. Interested in the advanced optical gimbal cameras in Edge Autonomy’s Octopus line of ISR systems? Learn more about our cutting-edge solutions here.

The Edge Autonomy Huntsville office is the company’s fifth location nationwide and is home to highly skilled technical personnel with a focus on advanced engineering, robotics, and composites manufacturing.

May 20, 2024 – Huntsville, AL – Edge Autonomy, a leading provider of uncrewed autonomous systems, hosted a ribbon cutting event to commemorate the expanded services of the company’s Huntsville, Alabama facility. This office has been operational for the past 10 months, facilitating support to domestic and international customers while contributing to the technological and economic growth of northern Alabama. In response to an increasing demand for Edge Autonomy products and services, the Huntsville facility is expanding production capabilities in the second half of 2024.

The Edge Autonomy Huntsville office is the company’s fifth location nationwide and is home to highly skilled technical personnel with a focus on advanced engineering, robotics, and composites manufacturing. With an important customer footprint in northern Alabama, this also positions the company to respond rapidly to emerging requirements.

“Our work with the US government, FVEY, and NATO partners has created more than 40 full-time positions at our Huntsville facility within the last year alone,” said Joshua Stinson, Chief Growth Officer of Edge Autonomy. “The Huntsville area has phenomenal resources to support the fast-growing technology sector, which will greatly facilitate the advancement of our uncrewed technology development and production.”

Edge Autonomy has invested a significant amount of capital expenditure in its Huntsville operations in the past year. The company plans further expansion and will double the size of its Alabama facility to 68,000ft2 by the end of the third quarter of 2024.

“We are in an exciting time of growth,” said Steve Adlich, Chief of Staff for Edge Autonomy. “While we continue to meet increasing production needs for our uncrewed aircraft and optical ISR solutions, we will also grow our Huntsville headcount.

Edge Autonomy hosted guests for the ribbon cutting ceremony, including Congressman Dale Strong, Mayor Tommy Battle, Huntsville Chamber of Commerce and other distinguished guests. After opening remarks, guests were able to tour the Huntsville facility, where they learned more about Edge Autonomy’s operations and further expansion efforts to support global customers.

“I’m honored to help cut the ribbon for Edge Autonomy’s new Huntsville location,” said Congressman Dale Strong. “They are doing crucial work to support American servicemembers with the most innovative capabilities while also benefitting our local economy by bringing new jobs, ideas, and dollars to North Alabama.”

Representative Strong serves as congressman for Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District and has also received assignments to serve on the House Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Science, Space and Technology Committees for the 118th Congress.

Edge Autonomy’s growth and success has had an enormous economic impact throughout Madison County and the surrounding area, all while supporting the warfighter with advanced uncrewed technologies to ensure they fulfill national security objectives and maintain a superior advantage over our nation’s adversaries. We stand behind our warfighters, present and future, and remain committed to those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom. Edge Autonomy is dedicated to supporting the growth of our local communities and the nation as a whole. 

About Edge Autonomy

Edge Autonomy is a leader in providing innovative autonomous systems, advanced optics, and resilient energy solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Federal Civilian Agencies, allied governments, academic institutions, and commercial entities. We believe that innovation – in all forms, from all sources, and at all stages of development – creates solutions that enable mission success. Our uncrewed technologies are used in nearly 80 countries by government, commercial, and academic customers.

Edge Autonomy has a team of 600 employees and draws on nearly four decades of proven aerospace engineering, manufacturing expertise, and advanced technology. With headquarters in San Luis Obispo, CA and nearly 300,000 square feet of manufacturing and production capabilities across the U.S. and abroad, Edge Autonomy’s experienced team delivers mission-focused results around the world.

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