Argus Defense Systems offers a backpack‑deployable quadcopter that provides autonomous ISR in GPS‑denied, communications‑contested environments. The drone runs visual‑inertial odometry, SLAM and edge AI on a Jetson Orin Nano, using an on‑device large‑language model to translate natural‑language briefs into flight plans and returning silently to a pre‑programmed waypoint after 30–60 minutes of flight. All components are U.S.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Modern combat environments frequently deny GPS signals and radio communications, leaving dismounted troops without reliable, autonomous ISR capability. Existing small UAS rely on external links and foreign‑sourced components, creating vulnerability to electronic warfare and compliance issues under the NDAA.
Solution
Argus Defense Systems delivers a self‑contained quadcopter that performs visual‑inertial odometry and SLAM on‑device to navigate without GPS or a data link. Edge AI on a Jetson Orin Nano processes perception, obstacle avoidance, and mission planning at 30 Hz, while an on‑device LLM translates natural‑language briefs into executable flight plans. The platform is backpack‑deployable, flies for 30–60 minutes, and returns autonomously to a pre‑programmed waypoint, providing silent, real‑time ISR for troops on the ground. All hardware and firmware are sourced from U.S. suppliers, ensuring NDAA compliance and eliminating reliance on foreign components.
Target Audience
Primary customers are U.S. Army dismounted and special‑operations units, as well as allied militaries seeking autonomous ISR capability in GPS‑denied, communications‑contested environments.
Features
- 30 Hz visual‑inertial odometry (VIO) and SLAM running on Jetson Orin Nano for GPS‑free navigation
- ArgusSAT satellite‑image matching engine delivering 92 % geolocation accuracy in sub‑second queries
- On‑device large‑language‑model planner (Qwen 2.5 1.5B) that converts natural‑language mission briefs into flight plans
- Stereo depth perception using Intel Myriad X VPU with feature‑based velocity estimation, validated across 358 test cases
- Confidence‑aware navigation with an 8‑factor scoring system that degrades gracefully under sensor degradation
- Full electromagnetic silence: no RF emissions, no external communications, and no remote pilot required
- U.S.–sourced bill‑of‑materials under $350, resulting in a unit cost of approximately $4 K
- <30 second backpack deployment, 5–10 km operational radius, and 30–60 minute endurance