Teledyne FLIR Defense announced the certification of Emesent's Hovermap LiDAR payload for its Third-Party Payload Integration Program at Modern Day Marine 2026. The integration enables GPS-denied 3D mapping capabilities across the company's unmanned aerial systems, ground robots, and radiation detection platforms.

The Hovermap payload uses LiDAR-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping technology to generate 3D maps without GPS or external infrastructure. The system addresses connectivity gaps in tunnels, urban structures, and chemically contaminated environments where GPS signals may be unavailable.

The payload operates on Teledyne FLIR's SkyRanger R70 and R80D SkyRaider drone platforms for aerial mapping missions. When mounted on the SUGV 325 ground robot, the system provides real-time 3D environmental awareness in enclosed spaces. The integration with Teledyne FLIR's MUVE R430 radiation detection payload allows operators to visualize both spatial layouts and radiation levels simultaneously.

"Knowing the shape of a space is powerful. Knowing where the radiation is within that space, in real time, without putting a person in harm's way, is an operational game-changer," said Stefan Hrabar, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Emesent.

Tung Ng, vice president of Unmanned Systems North America for Teledyne FLIR Defense, said the partnership would provide operators with spatial threat environment visualization previously unavailable.

Emesent has deployed more than 1,000 Hovermap systems globally across defense, public safety, mining, and infrastructure sectors. The Australian company maintains a U.S. office in Centennial, Colorado.

Both companies stated they are developing autonomous navigation capabilities and expanding multi-sensor fusion beyond radiation to additional chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection methods.