Surveillance with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, in partnership with the Spanish tech company Arquimea, announced a new artificial intelligence-based ISR anomaly detection capability that will be on display from Oct. Lockheed Martin released a statement on 14 April explaining the future of surveillance technology, and this innovation is just that in artificial intelligence.
Improved Anomaly Detection for Monitoring Solutions and Surveillance
This advanced system is designed to ensure outstanding functionality in the electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) domains, further bolstering surveillance capabilities. The focus is to enhance the ISR system’s ability to detect anomalies or differences in the physical world during this surveillance process. The companies claim this AI-fueled surveillance feature can significantly lower the number of sensor scans needed to detect departures from expected behavior, thus boosting the efficiency and early warning capability of surveillance.
Artificial Intelligence Learns Watching Virtual Jungle
For their latest demonstration, the partners simulated a small air vehicle that can be used as part of a more extensive uncrewed air system (UAS) conducting surveillance in a dense jungle environment. Using neural networks trained on “episodes” (precisely, “episodic memories”), the AI system could create virtual views—even from angles it had never seen before—and compare them to what’s in its memory to signal things like hidden foes and changes in the environment while on guard. This is a significant milestone for automated surveillance.
Widespread Use of Surveillance Technologies
According to Lockheed Martin, this surveillance capability is applicable across a variety of use cases, such as disaster response surveillance, environmental monitoring surveillance, pollution detection surveillance, and safety systems surveillance. The ability is also designed to assist in higher-level decision-making, enabling autonomous systems to cope with situations that have never been seen before in surveillance – part of a broader work in developing ‘trustworthy AI’ for defense surveillance applications.
Enhanced AI Surveillance Made Possible Through Collaboration
This surveillance project is part of “a major research and development effort in surveillance,” according to Emanuele Serafini, Lockheed Martin vice president for West Europe. “Spain is using these state-of-the-art surveillance technologies, and we are driving innovations in artificial intelligence and machine learning that underpin them,” he said.
Surveillance Applications Other Than Symbolic Image Matching
As explained by Lockheed Martin, the system “takes imagery comparison in surveillance beyond the current state of the art,” it does this by using machine learning to analyze changes over varied data sets. It further enables applications in autonomous flight monitoring, surveillance search algorithms, and crewed-uncrewed teaming for increased surveillance. This marks the dawn of a new age of surveillance.
AI Surveillance capabilities to expand further in the future
Afterward, the two firms will utilize the AI system to drive even transmission intel from more sensors and autonomous decision-making systems in 2025 for added surveillance hardware. This will enhance the reach and impact of their surveillance.
Skunk Works Studies Manned-Unmanned Teaming for Surveillance
Regarding the integrated surveillance mission, OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Skunk Works, said, “Skunk Works is committed to focused crewed-uncrewed teaming to enhance operational flexibility, shorten data-to-decision timelines, and reduce pilot risk during surveillance operations.”
The announcement highlights Lockheed Martin’s continued focus on dual-use technologies and partnerships to develop defense and aerospace AI capabilities, specifically for advanced surveillance. It shows that they are committed to the future of surveillance.
New AI technology unveiled by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in collaboration with Arquimea which is going to improve surveillance. The breakthroughs here are mid-wave infrared anomaly detection, leading to better surveillance. The purpose for this AI-based surveillance system is to minimize the number of scans sensed by a sensor providing strong surveillance to improve overall efficiency. An important use case for this type of surveillance tech is for armed surveillance type systems for UAS in environments such as dense jungles. Lockheed is quick to point out that you can also use this surveillance for disaster response, environmental monitoring, and pollution detection. Its move emphasizes a big step in the way of automated surveillance, and commitment that the future belongs to surveillance.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Unveils New AI-Enabled Skunk Works Surveillance, With Partner Arquimea Skunk Works was not only able to continue its work, but this particular Skunk Works initiative bolsters ISR capabilities as well. Skunk Works is home for the team working on anomaly detection (a major aspect of modern Skunk Works) and is actionable. Skunk Works used for jungle Skunk Works surveillance as a UAS to demonstrate The AI system that Skunk Works has developed for processing data is a major step towards automating the surveillance for Skunk Works.
The Skunk Works surveillance technology developed by Lockheed Martin notes in broad applications. This speaks to Skunk Work commitment to innovation according to Emanuele Serafini. The new system is an increment in Skunk Works ability to surveil. Skunk Works is also looking at manned-unmanned teaming. OJ Sanchez Skunk Works and said operational flexibility was enhanced. It echoes Skunk Works emphasis on AI turned toward high-end Skunk Works peddling.
Arquimea — Arquimea is a AI surveillance tech company that concentrates its R+D efforts in areas with high market needs. Founded in 2005, Arquimea has developed into a large scale, international group with an unparalleled passion for technology and a commitment to deliver creative, high-quality solutions. Also, Arquimea works in aerospace and defence where Arquimea is developing spaceflight equipment and other technologies.
Arquimea operates in the biotechnology sector, specifically in agrotech and healthcare solutions. Arquimea also participates in big science projects, much like astrophysics or particle physics. And, in addition, Arquimea is working in the field of fintech, testing in other financial technologies. Arquimea maintains a research center, Arquimea Research Center, dedicated to disruptive technology and innovation. Arquimea is a company that strives to advance technology for the benefit of society through its different divisions and projects.
Surveillance is no longer just a tool—it’s a presence. Surveillance cameras line every street, every corner, every hallway. We live in an age where surveillance watches us while we shop, drive, work, and even relax. From drones to data, surveillance is constant. Governments justify surveillance in the name of safety, while corporations use surveillance for profit. The line between protection and invasion blurs as surveillance grows smarter, faster, and quieter. Surveillance technology now fits in our pockets, in the form of phones and apps designed for convenience but built for surveillance.
With facial recognition and real-time tracking, surveillance doesn’t sleep. Even our online actions feed into the loop of surveillance. Social media, once for expression, is now a playground for surveillance. Surveillance culture is embedded in entertainment, in schools, even in homes. We volunteer data daily, unknowingly participating in our own surveillance. As surveillance expands, questions multiply—who controls the surveillance, and who watches the watchers of surveillance? The power of surveillance lies in its invisibility. But when surveillance is everywhere, it changes behavior, controls narratives, and shapes societies. Surveillance is more than just watching—it’s redefining what it means to be seen.
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