Teledyne FLIR Defense adds Emesent Hovermap LiDAR to unmanned and CBRN platforms
Teledyne FLIR Defense has certified Emesent’s Hovermap LiDAR for its unmanned and CBRN detection platforms.
The move expands Teledyne FLIR Defense’s third-party payload integration program and brings Emesent’s GPS-denied 3D mapping capability to air, ground and radiation detection systems. The certified payload was unveiled at Modern Day Marine 2026 and is intended for use across Teledyne FLIR’s SkyRanger R70 and SkyRaider R80D unmanned aircraft, SUGV 325 ground robot and MUVE R430 radiation detection payload.
The integration targets a persistent problem for unmanned systems operating inside tunnels, dense urban structures and contaminated spaces. In those environments, GPS signals can be degraded or unavailable, limiting navigation, mapping and operator awareness at the point where remote systems are often most needed.
Hovermap uses LiDAR-based simultaneous localization and mapping, or SLAM, to produce 3D maps without GPS or external infrastructure. On Teledyne FLIR’s unmanned aircraft, it enables mapping in denied environments; on the SUGV 325, it provides real-time 3D awareness of enclosed and complex spaces; and with the MUVE R430 payload, it can pair spatial data with radiation readings to show where elevated radiation levels are located.
Teledyne FLIR Defense said certified payloads are assessed for mechanical fit, electrical interface, software compatibility and flight performance. The process is designed to give operators mission-specific options while reducing the uncertainty that can come with integrating third-party sensors onto unmanned platforms.
The companies are also working on future capabilities, including autonomous navigation and broader multi-sensor fusion for additional chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection modes. The impact is direct: operators can gain a fused view of hazardous spaces while keeping personnel farther from the threat.