Humanitarian Drones: American-Italian Collaboration for Real-Time Landmine Detection

American Sierra Lobo Inc. and Italian Xplora have established a collaboration agreement to supply a mine-resistant drone (RMDS) to the US government and the Department of Defense market. Known as SLIX RMDS, the system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle, sensors, communications package, AI/ML-based software, and an integration processor that detects landmines in real time.

The SLIX RMDS has undergone successful demonstrations with defense agencies, law enforcement, and representatives from the US Department of Defense, receiving positive feedback on its capabilities and performance. Sierra Lobo CEO George Satornino expressed pride in the agreement with Xplora, emphasizing its humanitarian impact. Meanwhile, Xplora CEO Marco Pesci welcomed the partnership with Sierra Lobo Inc., highlighting their goal of utilizing their technology for conflict-affected civilian populations.

Both companies will participate in the US Army Maneuver Support & Protection Integration eXperiments 2024 (MSPIX’24) and are exploring next-generation capabilities for various applications. This collaboration marks Xplora’s entry into the US market, with plans to develop advanced technologies with Sierra Lobo for military and civilian use. The partnership aims to contribute to peacekeeping efforts and leverage innovative solutions for societal benefit. Additionally, the companies are researching and designing future capabilities beyond the SLIX RMDS, emphasizing technological advancement’s importance for support and protection in conflict situations.