Defense

Autonomous Sensors

Providing Protection and Force Multiplication

The Lab’s Autonomous Sensors program leverages its extensive expertise in sensor technology and machine learning with unmanned systems to create innovative solutions that enhance situational awareness and operational effectiveness.

By developing drones equipped with sophisticated sensors and algorithms, LLNL provides real-time data and insights for critical decision-making in high-stakes environments.

Inter-agency collaboration ensures that Lab-developed technologies meet specific operational needs and allow for rapid prototyping and field testing of systems that can detect threats, analyze environments, and respond to emergencies with unprecedented speed and accuracy.

Technicians in a dirt field working on a drone

Program Highlights

Soldiers driving a vehicle with sensors attached to the front chasis

Multistatic Imaging Radar

The Lab has developed a ground-penetrating radar technology, known as Multistatic Imaging Radar (MiRadar), which can search for buried threats before military personnel deployment. Designed for the U.S. military, MiRadar promises to significantly impact defense, transportation, emergency response and mine clearance efforts, leading to a paradigm shift in the way subsurface and buried explosives are found. Learn more.

Technicians monitoring a swarm of drones above a field

First Uncrewed Aerial System Swarm Testing

The Lab has received the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) first and, to date, only certificate of authorization allowing autonomous drone swarming exercises on the Lab’s main campus. These flights will test swarm controls and sensor payloads used in various national security applications. Read more.

Technicians in cowboy hats stand in front of an oil rig and behind a drone hovering inches above the grass. In the background another drone hovers in the sky

Undocumented Orphaned Wells Project

It is estimated that there are hundreds of thousands of undocumented “orphaned” oil wells in the U.S. that are leaking methane and need to be located.

The Undocumented Orphaned Well project is developing sensor technology to detect the extremely small signatures of wells with a focus on technologies that can scale and accurately locate them in order to reduce methane emissions and eliminate other environmental impacts. Learn more. 

Testing Autonomous Drones, Vehicles and Robots of the Future


The OS-150 Robotics Laboratory or “Drone Pen” is the Lab’s autonomous unmanned systems test facility where operators pilot drones and build trust with their robotic teammates.

Read more about Defense

Software Assurance
Decision Support
Conflict Simulation
Autonomous Sensors
Electronic Warfare
Bioscience

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