The exercise, conducted in partnership with multiple agencies, focused on one of the most elusive aerial threats in modern warfare—small, non-emitting unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), widely known as “dark drones.” Operating without radio frequency (RF) signals or electronic signatures, these drones are notoriously difficult for traditional detection systems to identify, and have been increasingly deployed in conflict zones such as Ukraine.

During the live evaluation, ARIES was tested alongside several commercial and military-grade sUAS detection platforms. The system consistently succeeded in detecting, tracking, and classifying multiple “dark” drones in real-time. Using a combination of high-resolution optical sensors, radar, and Skylark’s proprietary AI algorithms, ARIES identified both known drone types and entirely new configurations—without relying on pre-loaded signatures or profiles.

Built for operational flexibility, ARIES can operate as a standalone counter-sUAS solution or integrate seamlessly with existing platforms, helping to close critical detection gaps. The system is deployed on Skylark Labs’ Scout MK1 Towers, equipped with onboard sensors for real-time monitoring. All detection data is streamed to a command centre, enabling rapid response and enhanced situational awareness.

“This is a pivotal advancement in the global counter-UAS mission,” said Dr Amarjot Singh, CEO of Skylark Labs. “ARIES is designed to detect the undetectable—those drones that fly under the radar, both literally and electronically. This demonstration validates our vision to build adaptive, AI-powered systems that thrive in the complexity of real-world combat and security scenarios.”

The Camp Atterbury demonstration confirms that non-emitting threats can be reliably detected using Skylark’s sensor-agnostic AI fusion approach, without dependence on RF, thermal, or GPS signatures—addressing a longstanding vulnerability in air defence capabilities.

About Skylark Labs
Skylark Labs develops adaptive, self-learning AI systems for real-time perception, reasoning, and action across defence, public safety, and critical infrastructure. Its edge-based platforms operate independently of cloud connectivity, enabling scalable autonomy for drones, cameras, and multi-sensor systems in contested or communication-denied environments.

More information: https://skylarklabs.ai | info@skylarklabs.ai