Thales is equipping Skydweller’s Maps unmanned solar powered aircraft with a smart radar system that uses AI to adapt autonomously to specific flight conditions.

This innovation combines a solar-powered extreme endurance aerial platform with surveillance intelligence, to set a standard in autonomous, persistent maritime surveillance.

The Skydweller Maps (medium-altitude pseudo-satellite) is an autonomous aircraft with a payload carrying capacity up to 400kg and is capable of flights from weeks to months. This capability allows for almost continuous maritime coverage, extending the scope of surveillance missions that require persistence and operational performance.

Thales will equip the aircraft with its AirMaster S radar system and its smart radar capabilities, whose intelligent functions have already been proven on the ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft. Operating in X-band with AESA (active electronically scanned array) antenna technology, the AirMaster S radar offers operational advantages such as immediate and accurate assessment of land, air or sea situations.

The radar also features auto-tuning capabilities based on flight and mission conditions, suited to the Skydweller drone’s persistence in flight. Its AI-based target classification feature can detect points of interest among a large volume of data and reduce the amount of information that needs to be transmitted to the ground.

Thanks to its ability to fly uninterrupted for weeks to months, the Maps Skydweller solar powered unmanned aircraft allows a permanent presence in sensitive areas. It complements the resources already available (satellites, other types of drones, aircraft) and makes it possible to redirect resources according to the missions.

“The combination of Thales’ AirMaster S Smart radar with the Maps Skydweller will make it possible to change the paradigm for surveillance missions, by offering a unique option for current sovereignty challenges,” said Sébastien Renouard, chief commercial officer at Skydweller. “We welcome this alliance and think it will bring greater to security to Nato, the EU and allies of western democracies.”

Philippe Duhamel, executive vice president at Thales, added: “We are delighted with this collaboration, which demonstrates the value of our artificial intelligence capabilities in the field of radars, which, combined with the innovative Skydweller Maps, represent a real technological breakthrough for surveillance missions.”

Skydweller Aero (www.skydweller.aero) is a transatlantic aerospace company that develops and manufactures a fleet of solar-powered aircraft capable of perpetual flight with significant payload capacity. They are autonomous aircraft made of carbon fibre, with a wingspan larger than a Boeing 747.

Thales (www.thales.com) invests more than €4bn per year in R&D, and has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the group generated sales of €20.6bn.