ADVANCED PROGRAMS
AIRCRAFT ARE ONLY ONE PART OF THE SYSTEM.
Vanthal’s Advanced Programs portfolio extends the company’s aircraft platforms through edge intelligence, distributed autonomy, resilient connectivity, and lower-cost air systems.
These capabilities are under development and are not represented as currently fielded production features unless specifically stated.
Edge Intelligence
ON-DEVICE DETECTION. TRACKING. OPERATOR VISIBILITY.
Vanthal is developing an aircraft-agnostic edge-intelligence module that processes sensor data aboard the aircraft to detect, classify, and track objects of interest.
The complete module weighs less than 150 grams, allowing it to be carried by any Group 1 aircraft, including FPV drones, without affecting flight performance.
The system is intended to improve situational awareness by publishing structured observations through ATAK-compatible interfaces while keeping mission decisions under authorized human control.
Program Status
CORE FUNCTIONS
ON-DEVICE PROCESSING
Processes sensor information aboard the aircraft rather than relying entirely on a remote computing node.
DETECTION AND CLASSIFICATION
Assists in detecting and classifying relevant objects within available sensor imagery.
PERSISTENT TRACKING
Maintains object tracks across successive frames and changing aircraft perspectives.
ATAK-COMPATIBLE REPORTING
Distributes structured detections, tracks, and associated location data through compatible interfaces.
GNSS-DEGRADED OPERATIONS
Supports detection and image tracking when GNSS information is unreliable or unavailable. Accurate geospatial placement may require additional navigation, localization, sensor, or operator inputs.
OPERATOR ALERTING
Surfaces observations that may require operator attention.
DISTRIBUTED VISIBILITY
Shares relevant observations with authorized operators and command elements.
FROM VIDEO FEED TO SHARED INFORMATION.
Small unmanned aircraft generate substantial operational video, but much of that information remains isolated within individual operator feeds.
Edge Intelligence is being developed to convert relevant portions of that imagery into structured observations that can be shared with authorized operators and command elements.
Potential operational benefits include:
- Reduced dependence on continuous manual observation
- Faster reporting of relevant detections
- Improved continuity of tracks
- Wider distribution of observations
- Structured data for later review and analysis
DESIGNED FOR AIRCRAFT-AGNOSTIC INTEGRATION.
The Edge Intelligence module is being developed as a separate payload rather than as a capability permanently tied to one aircraft.
The complete module weighs less than 150 grams, allowing it to be carried by any Group 1 aircraft, including FPV drones, without affecting flight performance.
It is intended for integration with compatible Vanthal, commercial, and government-owned unmanned aircraft where power, payload, sensor, computing, and interface requirements can be satisfied.
- ■Module weight under 150 grams
- ■Separate aircraft-mounted module
- ■Compatible sensor input
- ■Onboard computing
- ■ATAK-compatible data output
- ■Modular power and communications interfaces
- ■Aircraft-independent software architecture
- ■Configurable model and mission profiles
HUMAN-CONTROLLED DECISION SUPPORT.
Edge Intelligence is intended to assist operators by detecting, tracking, and reporting observations. It is not presented as an independently acting engagement system.
Authorized personnel remain responsible for interpreting information, validating observations, and making mission decisions.
Program Status
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
PHANTOM
Platform-Agnostic Highly Autonomous Networked Tactical Operations Module
A distributed autonomy architecture being developed to coordinate compatible mixed fleets, assign roles according to aircraft capabilities, transfer persistent missions, and continue operating without dependence on a single central node.
CONNECTED MISSION SYSTEMS
Aircraft-agnostic communications modules being developed to distribute video, aircraft data, and command connectivity through encrypted mesh networks and relay nodes.
FUTURE AIR SYSTEMS
Vanthal is developing larger unmanned aircraft around established commercial supply chains, globally supportable components, and simplified maintenance models.
Current cost modeling targets acquisition costs below 50% and lifecycle costs below 10% of comparable legacy systems.
The objective is to reduce dependence on specialized supply chains, proprietary support infrastructure, and depot-level maintenance while improving the ability of operational units to sustain aircraft globally.
Below 50% of comparable legacy systems
Below 10% of comparable legacy systems
Cost targets are based on current internal modeling and depend on aircraft class, mission configuration, production quantity, support model, and the legacy platform used for comparison.
DISCUSS AN ADVANCED PROGRAM.
For program-office discussions, integration opportunities, demonstrations, development partnerships, or technical inquiries, contact Vanthal Technologies.