Lockheed Martin is using AI to boost targeting accuracy and accelerate threat detection.
The company recently tested an AI-powered Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system that can automatically spot maritime targets with high precision.
In trials off the US West Coast, teams from Lockheed Martin’s AI Center, Skunk Works, and Rotary and Mission Systems demonstrated the system’s ability to detect and classify targets in near real-time.
Machine learning tools enabled SAR to retrain and adapt on the fly, fine-tuning performance as conditions changed.
With autonomous sensor control, the radar could re-task itself mid-mission, shifting focus without human input.
The system ran entirely on compact, low-power hardware, without the need for large ground stations or cloud computing, proving its potential for fast, field-ready deployment.
“This is a major leap for harnessing AI to help enhance situational awareness and decision-making capabilities, with unparalleled threat identification across extended ranges and all-weather conditions,” stated John Clark, senior VP of technology and strategic innovation at Lockheed Martin.
SAR Development
SAR technology is commonly used to detect ships at sea, but typically requires human analysts to interpret the images.
With AI, it can now distinguish civilian from military vessels without the need for manual review.
Testing continues this year to refine sensor integration and boost maritime readiness.
Data from the trials will also feed into other Lockheed Martin autonomous platforms, including collaborative combat aircraft and integrated systems.
