At a recent multi-agency exercise at Camp Atterbury, Skylark Labs showcased a leap forward in counter-drone tech, successfully spotting and identifying elusive radio-silent “dark drones.”
The company’s Aerial Reconnaissance and Elimination System (ARIES) was able to detect small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) that emit no radio frequency or electronic signatures, which are common in conflict zones like Ukraine.
Put through its paces alongside commercial and military-grade detection gear, the system consistently identified multiple “dark drones” in real time, including models and configurations never seen before.
ARIES combined high-resolution optical sensors, radar, and proprietary AI algorithms to follow targets without relying on preloaded signatures or profiles. This let it spot both known and entirely new drone types.
‘Detect the Undetectable’
Built for versatility, ARIES can work alone as a counter-sUAS solution or plug into existing defense networks for a layered defense.
The system is deployed on Skylark Labs’ Scout MK1 Towers, which house sensors that monitor threats live and feed data straight to command centers for rapid response.
Skylark Labs CEO Amarjot Singh said the demo proved that ARIES can “detect the undetectable,” filling a key gap in current defense capabilities by using sensor-agnostic AI fusion that doesn’t rely on radio frequency, thermal, or GPS signatures.
“This is a pivotal advancement in the global counter-UAS mission,” he stated. “This demonstration validates our vision: to build adaptive, AI-powered systems that thrive in the complexity of real-world combat and security scenarios.”
