An RTX business has been tapped to improve military awareness in an unusual way: extending military X-ray vision to nearly a kilometer to let operators see hidden objects from unprecedented distances.
To make that possible, BBN Technologies is developing a new imaging tool that blends advanced mathematical modeling with sophisticated image-analysis software.
The team is running large-scale simulations to test how effectively the system can extract critical details from weak or distorted X-ray signals.
By relying more on simulations and smart algorithms, the approach cuts down on the need for massive training datasets and allows development to move forward even when information is incomplete.
The project is funded through a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under its X-ray Extreme-Range Non-Imaging Analysis (XENA) program.
Compared to Traditional Tools
Military forces use X-ray tools to gain tactical advantage from a safe distance, allowing them to reveal the interior of a vehicle or building without exposing personnel to danger.
Conventional scanners typically need to operate at close range, as distance weakens signals and introduces motion blur and image noise.
These limitations have long restricted how far X-ray systems can be used in real-world operations.
Under XENA, BBN’s new system will use advanced algorithms to merge multiple imperfect scans into a clear picture of an object’s interior, similar to building a sharp image from a collection of blurry snapshots.
If successful, the tech could give operators reliable insight into concealed weapons, hidden compartments, or structural vulnerabilities from distances that were previously out of reach.
The company will be working with specialists from Georgia Institute of Technology, with most development activities based in Massachusetts and Georgia.
