SwRI Develops Neuromorphic Vision System to Track Fast Counter-Drone Targets

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed a new counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) tool named Hierax that uses neuromorphic cameras to detect fast-moving drones in complex skies, as reported by TechXplore (https://techxplore.com/news/2026-10-eye-cameras-fast-drones-complex.html). The system combines event-based sensors—which capture visual data similarly to biological vision—with custom software to identify and track dynamic aerial targets.

Conventional optical systems capture discrete color frames across red, green, and blue light spectrums, requiring substantial machine learning compute to process high-speed motion. In contrast, neuromorphic cameras record changes in brightness at the individual pixel level as they happen. Because the sensors operate passively and only process pixel-level changes, they emit no signals that adversaries can jam and require significantly less computing power, size, and weight than traditional optical setups.

SwRI designed Hierax as a hardware-agnostic intercept package aimed at converting existing uncrewed systems into autonomous pursuit platforms. "Our approach potentially transforms any UAS into an autonomous precision interceptor designed to detect, track, pursue and neutralize rogue or hostile drones without manual piloting," said Kase Saylor, an SwRI research manager. "By leveraging neuromorphic sensing, we provide a hardware-agnostic intercept kit that bridges the gap between detection and neutralization."

While event-based vision has been studied in academic laboratories for decades, adapting the technology to uncontrolled outdoor environments has historically proved difficult. SwRI engineer David Anthony, who led the research, noted that the initiative focuses on moving recent research into practical deployment.

To facilitate field adoption, SwRI built the imaging package on a modular open systems approach aligned with U.S. Department of Defense requirements for combined joint task force interoperability. According to Saylor, maintaining open standards is intended to eliminate vendor lock-in and keep the intercept kit compatible with subsequent defense hardware updates.