FTL develops innovative sensing devices using cameras, lasers, ultrasonic transceivers, inertial measurement units, electrochemical sensors, and other approaches. We then apply that sensor data to automating systems to improve effectiveness and accuracy to systems.
FTL develops and builds sensors and automates systems for everyday use aboard ships, in medical clinics, and out in the field. These systems incorporate hardware, including elements for probing a target to gain information without disrupting it, and software, including systems for acquiring, processing, implementing operations, and presenting the results to aid the user and keep them in the loop. Automation, as implemented by FTL, focuses on streamlining processes, reducing manual labor, and improving efficiency and accuracy by using systems to execute actions that would otherwise be done by people.
The links below provide an introduction to the many sensor and automation projects FTL has worked on. Each one represents an unsolved sensing and/or automation challenge that FTL developed an approach, prototype, and deployable system to address.
While AM systems, especially metal AM, bring revolutionary capabilities and have the potential to reduce supply chain issues and enable new designs through unique layer-by-layer fabrication capabilities, AM technologies currently suffer from defects that exist within the components. Defects such as porosity, inclusions, large-scale voids, and chemical inconsistencies can inhibit the functional performance of a part and reduce confidence in designing parts for AM.
Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV’s) are anticipated to play an important role in future Naval systems. These vary from very small systems deployed by hand from boats, to very large vessels, as large as a manned battleship, but operated entirely remotely.
DADTMA (Data Analysis and Decision Tool for Mission Assurance) is a strategic risk assessment tool designed for the Department of Defense. It enables rapid evaluation of mission-critical systems by integrating data sources, visualizing risk factors, and supporting data-driven decision-making at the operational level.
DroneDraft is a mission planning tool developed for the U.S. Army to streamline drone deployment in complex environments. It offers geospatial visualization, flight path optimization, and real-time coordination features to enhance operational efficiency and situational awareness.
Electroseptic is a remote monitoring system developed for wastewater management in Department of Defense facilities. It uses sensor-based telemetry and real-time data analytics to detect septic system failures early, improving environmental safety and reducing maintenance costs.
FTL has current and active machine vision programs for the Navy and Air Force, most notably FTL’s FODHAT (FOD Or Defect Hazard Analysis Twin) machine vision and inspection systems.
FTL’s “FRAMER” (Fast Reconstruction of Architectural Models from Existing Resources) system has been developed for the Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) program of the DoD. It combines specially trained neural networks with advanced 3D processing algorithms and intelligent data exports to enable high quality building model generation from both blueprints and photographs, and parameter exports for accurate transport and dispersion simulation.
OilEye is a real-time fuel monitoring system developed to detect contamination and performance issues in military aircraft. It combines sensor data with predictive analytics to enhance maintenance efficiency and reduce the risk of in-flight engine failures.
This project focused on the fabrication of piezoelectric sensors for aerospace applications requiring high sensitivity and durability. The sensors enable precise vibration and pressure monitoring, supporting advanced diagnostics in extreme operational environments.
SDARIT (Secure Distributed AR Integration Toolkit) is a framework for deploying augmented reality solutions in secure, networked environments. Designed for defense applications, it enables real-time collaboration and visualization while maintaining strict cybersecurity and data integrity standards.
SharpScan is an automated imaging and inspection system developed to enhance quality control in advanced manufacturing. Using high-resolution cameras and machine learning algorithms, it detects microscopic defects with speed and precision to ensure product reliability.
SHR3DR is a compact 3D scanning and reconstruction system developed for field use in defense and engineering applications. It captures high-resolution spatial data to enable rapid modeling, reverse engineering, and integration into digital twin environments.
Approximately 1.3 million active duty troops are regularly tested for hearing loss. FTL’s SonoLoop technology allows medical providers to easily and inexpensively provide this testing in mixed-use clinical settings with repeatable results.
SoundFit is an ultrasound tool that assists technicians fitting persons with amputation with prosthetic limbs by assessing fit quality. This tool measures relative bone motion to quantify the performance of mechanical energy transfer between the prosthetic limb and the user’s skeletal structure, guiding adjustments to the prosthetic socket geometry.
Sponsored by the Defense Health Agency, FTL’s SPARO (Sensorized Prosthetic Alignment Read-Out) provides clinicians and researchers a tool that enables quantitative measurements of prosthetic alignment and the effects it has on the rest of the body’s motions and dynamics through whole body gait and movement analysis.
SpearFish is a cyber threat simulation platform designed to test and strengthen network defenses against phishing and social engineering attacks. It provides realistic training scenarios and analytics to improve user awareness and organizational resilience.
VAME (Virtual Assessment and Modeling Environment) is a simulation platform designed to support digital twin development for defense systems. It enables virtual prototyping, behavioral analysis, and performance optimization across a range of operational scenarios.
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