01
EO/IR + LiDAR fusion
Multi-modal optical sensing. AI fuses inputs to track tether geometry and reconstruct the line from UAS down to the operator.
V-02 · Mission Venture · TRL-4 Lab-Stage Feasibility
PhotonTrace
Non-RF sensing payload for fiber-tethered UAS detection and operator-location cueing. Designed for adaptation toward the Picatinny Common Lethality Interface Kit (CLIK). Aligned to Army SBIR Topic ARM26BX01-NV002.
Signature visualization
Optical sensing where RF goes silent.
UAS payload scans downward with optical and LiDAR sensing. AI sensor fusion reconstructs the fiber tether path. Coordinate cueing locates the operator. Non-RF means no signature to suppress.
PHOTONTRACE PAYLOAD
ACTIVE · EO/IR + LIDAR
NON-RF SENSING
TETHER DETECT
OPERATOR CUE
CONFIDENCE 0.91
Operator Located
Problem
Fiber-Tethered UAS Defeat RF-Based Counter-UAS.
Adversaries increasingly deploy fiber-tethered unmanned aerial systems specifically to evade RF detection. Traditional counter-UAS systems rely on RF signatures. When the signature is reduced or eliminated, operator-location discovery breaks down, and the sensor-to-shooter loop loses its first link. Soldiers in contested environments need a sensing layer that does not depend on RF emissions to find what the adversary is hiding.
Capability
Non-RF Sensing. CLIK-Adaptable. Soldier-Centered.
PhotonTrace is a non-RF sensing payload concept built around EO/IR, LiDAR, AI sensor fusion, tether-path reconstruction, coordinate cueing, confidence scoring, and visual trace overlays. The payload is designed for adaptation toward the Picatinny Common Lethality Interface Kit (CLIK) and integrated with government-provided upper Group 2 or lower Group 3 UAS. Phase I delivers practical planning artifacts the Army needs for a sound Phase II decision.
02
Tether-path reconstruction
Software stitches partial detections into a continuous tether trace. Confidence scoring per segment. Visual overlay for the operator.
03
Operator-location cueing
Coordinates relayed to friendly fires. Closes the sensor-to-shooter loop when the adversary tried to break it.
Why now
Aligned to Army SBIR ARM26BX01-NV002.
Active Army Modular Payloads for UAS topic. Phase I produces payload architecture, interface assumptions, SWaP-C baselines, initial Safety Assessment Report inputs, UAS vendor coordination plans, Soldier touchpoint plans, and a clear Phase II prototype roadmap. Soldier feedback is built into every iteration. Axirix delivers planning artifacts the Army can evaluate, not field-readiness claims it cannot.
5-minute demo
Watch the PhotonTrace concept walk-through.
Self-hosted video. No third-party redirects. Works on locked-down federal networks.
Maturity & routing
Lab-Stage. Army SBIR Ready. Soldier-Centered.
Maturity
TRL-4
Lab-stage feasibility indicators on physical tether detection. Labeled as early feasibility data, not field performance. Metrics must be verified before external use.
Federal route
Army + SOF cluster
Army SBIR Topic ARM26BX01-NV002 (Modular Payloads for UAS). SOCOM Vulcan. SOFWERX. Counter-UAS technical exchange. Blue UAS or prime integration.
Prime fit
Blue UAS OEM
OEM payload software fit for Blue UAS-cleared Group 2/3 platforms. SDVOSB prime delivery. Reduced capture burden for prime unmanned-systems integrators.
Technical exchange
Request a PhotonTrace technical exchange.
Army SBIR program offices, SOCOM Vulcan scouts, counter-UAS teams, Blue UAS OEMs: tell us the platform and the engagement profile. Axirix tailors the package to your evaluation criteria.