Australian defense technology company SPARC AI has completed a long-range target acquisition test of its Overwatch software platform, tracking a target at a distance of 43 kilometers (26.7 miles) over open water.
The test took place in Port Phillip Bay, near Melbourne in southeastern Australia, with a drone flying at an altitude of 115 meters (377 feet) used to evaluate the system’s ability to detect and track targets in GPS-denied environments.
Overwatch integrates data from multiple drone platforms into a common operating picture, allowing operators to identify, track, and share target information.
The software is designed to improve navigation and targeting performance by analyzing flight data, detecting errors, and applying real-time corrections across different drone types without requiring additional hardware.
Alongside the test, SPARC AI announced the integration of image-recognition capabilities into the platform’s drone controller application.
The addition is intended to improve target identification and provide operators with additional information for mission planning and decision-making.
Next Development Phase
Following the latest test campaign, SPARC AI plans to further develop Overwatch’s multi-drone coordination capabilities.
These features are expected to be introduced through a future software update for partners in the US, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates.
Beyond software development, the company is working to expand Overwatch’s adoption across drone platforms.
In May, SPARC AI announced an agreement with US-based Rate Manufacturing to integrate its software into the Model-F multi-mission drone, which is designed for operations in GPS-denied environments.
