Maxar Intelligence has introduced Raptor, a vision-based software suite that enables drones to navigate and locate targets without GPS signals — a game-changer in contested and complex environments.
GPS, the US government-owned satellite navigation system, is vital for positioning, but it’s also vulnerable.
Mountains, dense cities, and enemy interference like jamming and spoofing can knock it out, leaving drones lost and ineffective.
Enter Raptor Software
Raptor software eliminates GPS reliance by cross-referencing drone camera data with Maxar’s massive 3D terrain library, providing precise, real-time coordinates in GPS-denied zones.
Maxar has 90 million-plus square kilometers (over 34 million square miles) of global 3D terrain data.
Raptor works at night, in low-visibility environments, and requires no additional hardware.
“By eliminating reliance on GPS, Raptor software unlocks the full potential of autonomous systems — from powering truly joint multi-domain operations as part of a digital battlefield to large-scale delivery systems in urban areas where knowing the precise coordinates of your drop-off location is critical to getting the job done,” Chief Product Officer at Maxar Intelligence Peter Wilczynski said.
What It Comprises
The Raptor suite includes a set of three software solutions: the Raptor Guide, Raptor Sync, and Raptor Ace.
Raptor Guide enables precise aerial positioning using vision-based technology, achieving accuracy within 10 meters (32.8 feet).
Raptor Sync goes a step further, geo-registering drone video feeds with Maxar’s 3D terrain data to pinpoint ground coordinates with under 3-meter (10 feet) accuracy.
On the ground, Raptor Ace gives operators real-time target coordinates from full-motion aerial video, ensuring accuracy of less than 3 meters, even in contested environments.
“Raptor will change the game for customers across the defense and commercial sectors. This software uses Maxar’s unique 3D global terrain data to ensure that autonomous systems get the job done no matter how much GPS interference they face,” Wilczynski added.
