Lockheed Martin's AI Radar Revolutionizes Maritime Target Recognition

Lockheed Martin demonstrated breakthrough AI-powered Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology on July 16, 2025, enabling automatic maritime target recognition without manual image interpretation. Developed by teams from Lockheed Martin AI Center, Skunk Works, and Rotary Mission Systems, the system successfully classified vessels in near real-time during West Coast flight tests. Game-changing capability: The SAR Automatic Target Recognition uses Machine Learning Operations tools to distinguish between combatant and civilian vessels autonomously, with the radar re-tasking itself based on detections. Operating on low Size, Weight, and Power hardware with edge processing, it eliminates dependence on cloud computing or ground stations. Defense applications: The technology provides "unparalleled threat identification across extended ranges and all-weather conditions," according to John Clark, Senior VP of Technology and Strategic Innovation. Data from ongoing tests will advance multiple autonomous systems including collaborative combat aircraft.
[Lockheed Martin]

This story is part of the Maritime AI Digest of 20 July 2025.