Safe Pro Group wins U.S. Air Force SBIR contract for FOD AI dataset

Safe Pro Group Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAI) has been selected by AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force, for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop an artificial intelligence dataset using images of Foreign Object Debris/Damage (FOD) found on U.S. Air Force and civilian airfields.

The contract focuses on applying the company's computer vision technology to airfield operations, extending its existing use in battlefield and post-conflict zone environments. Safe Pro's platform, built on its patented SPOTD (Safe Pro Object Threat Detection) technology, uses AI and machine learning to detect small objects through drone-based imagery.

"The receipt of this Air Force award represents a significant new potential market opportunity for our novel AI-powered image analysis platform, expanding it into both defense and commercial airfield operations," said Dan Erdberg, chairman and CEO of Safe Pro Group Inc.

The award follows a separate invitation from the U.S. Army for Safe Pro to provide operational support during an upcoming airfield exercise. The Aventura, Florida-based company said the SBIR contract could broaden the applicability of its technology beyond its current defense and humanitarian uses.

AFWERX operates as a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory and partners with small businesses to accelerate technology development. In fiscal year 2025, AFWERX awarded more than 1,000 contracts totaling $1.37 billion.

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