Our Capabilities: Engineering Mission Advantage
Core Competencies
AetherVision LLC transforms cutting-edge scientific concepts into practical, mission-critical solutions. We possess deep technical expertise and demonstrated leadership experience in developing and applying disruptive technologies specifically tailored for the unique, demanding requirements of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD).
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
- Developing and deploying sophisticated AI/ML algorithms (Deep Learning, Computer Vision, NLP, Reinforcement Learning) for real-time multi-INT data analysis, automated threat detection/classification, complex pattern recognition, predictive modeling, and enhanced situational awareness across multiple domains.
- Expertise in optimizing AI/ML models for deployment on resource-constrained edge devices (SoCs, FPGAs, specialized accelerators) and embedded systems, crucial for tactical ISR, autonomous platform control, and operations in communication-denied environments.
- Proven leadership architecting and deploying secure, scalable AI/ML platforms within government cloud environments (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government) and hybrid edge-cloud architectures. Experience achieving significant (e.g., 40%+) mission effectiveness improvements through AI integration in prior roles.
- Application areas include Automated Target Recognition (ATR), behavior analysis from multi-modal data, anomaly detection in complex signals/imagery, multi-sensor fusion for enhanced tracking, predictive maintenance for critical assets (achieving e.g., 20% downtime reduction in prior projects), and adaptive decision support systems.
- Experience leading large-scale Agile transformations (Scrum/Kanban) for AI/ML software development within secure environments, demonstrably accelerating delivery cycles (e.g., 35-50% reduction) and improving team velocity.
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Solutions
- Designing, integrating, testing, and enhancing advanced ISR sensor payloads and processing systems for diverse platforms (airborne UAVs, terrestrial UGVs, maritime USVs, space-based assets, unattended ground sensors).
- Expertise in integrating and fusing data from multi-modal sensor suites (EO/IR, Hyperspectral, RF/SIGINT, Radar/SAR, Acoustic, Seismic) to generate comprehensive, real-time situational understanding and actionable intelligence.
- Implementing robust on-platform edge computing solutions for rapid, localized data processing, analytics, and decision-making, minimizing latency (e.g., 25% reduction observed in prior work) and reducing reliance on vulnerable communication links in contested environments. Includes development of secure edge architectures compliant with ITAR and stringent cybersecurity protocols.
- Developing sophisticated autonomous navigation, path planning, and multi-platform coordination/swarming algorithms enabling persistent operation in complex, dynamic, and GPS-denied or communication-limited scenarios.
- Engineering secure, resilient communication capabilities, including concepts for Low Probability of Intercept/Detection (LPI/LPD) links (e.g., optical/FSO), ensuring reliable data transmission in contested electromagnetic domains.
Neuromorphic Vision & Advanced Bio-Inspired Sensing
- Leveraging deep expertise in neuromorphic (event-driven) visual perception, inspired by biological systems, to create next-generation sensing capabilities offering unparalleled temporal resolution, high dynamic range (HDR), and extremely low power consumption (Low-SWaP).
- Proven DARPA FENCE Program Leadership & Success: Dr. Kukreja conceptualized, pitched, and successfully led the $5.5M DARPA FENCE program (during prior role at Raytheon), culminating in the delivery of a TRL-6 neuromorphic camera prototype. This system exceeded all performance milestones (average 20% margin), demonstrated significantly enhanced sensitivity (60% improvement), reduced false alarms (35% reduction), cut power consumption (25% decrease), and lowered operator cognitive load (30% reduction).
- Expertise in designing custom Readout Integrated Circuits (ROICs) and Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs) for specialized, high-performance neuromorphic and multi-spectral imaging applications, exploring concepts from UV to THz bands.
- Developing event-based vision systems optimized for detecting, tracking, and classifying fast, low-observable, or fleeting targets in cluttered or low-light conditions, overcoming fundamental limitations of traditional frame-based sensors.
- Research and development experience extends to neuromorphic tactile sensing ('e-skin' concepts achieving 100x density, 90% power reduction in prior NUS work) and other bio-inspired sensor modalities for enhanced robotic perception and human-machine interaction.
Data Analysis, Exploitation & Fusion
- Creating novel data analysis methodologies and software tools to extract timely, actionable intelligence from large-scale, complex, heterogeneous multi-source data streams (Multi-INT: SIGINT, GEOINT, MASINT, HUMINT, OSINT, Cyber).
- Expertise in developing and applying advanced predictive analytics, anomaly detection algorithms (statistical, ML-based), and pattern recognition techniques to identify subtle indicators, correlations, and emerging threats often missed by traditional methods.
- Designing and implementing automated and semi-automated intelligence analysis workflows to significantly accelerate the intelligence cycle (tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, dissemination) and enhance analyst decision-making under pressure.
- Proficiency in establishing secure data management strategies and robust data governance frameworks for sensitive mission data, ensuring integrity, accuracy, provenance, and compliance with DoD/IC standards (building on experience exceeding NASA standards, achieving 100% audit compliance and zero breaches in prior leadership roles).
Expert Consulting, Training & Strategic Planning
- Providing expert technical consulting services in AI/ML applications (cloud-to-edge deployment), ISR system design/integration, data analysis strategies, neuromorphic vision implementation, multi-INT fusion architectures, and system-of-systems engineering.
- Offering independent technology assessments (TRAs), system architecture reviews (leveraging MBSE principles), integration support, test & evaluation planning, and strategic technology roadmapping aligned with specific agency missions, capability gaps, and program goals.
- Developing and delivering customized training programs on advanced technology concepts (AI/ML fundamentals, Neuromorphic sensing principles) and relevant methodologies (Agile for R&D, Risk Management for technical programs) for government and industry technical staff and leadership.
- Leveraging extensive first-hand experience navigating the government R&D ecosystem (SBIR/STTR lifecycle, BAAs, OTs) and collaborating effectively with Program Managers, Contracting Officers, and Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs) to provide strategic guidance and proposal support.
Technology Focus Areas & Solution Concepts
Building upon our core competencies, AetherVision concentrates on developing and integrating innovative solutions designed to address critical national security capability gaps and provide asymmetric advantages:
- Next-Generation Sensing & Perception Solutions: Engineering advanced sensor systems leveraging neuromorphic principles, multi-modal fusion (EO/IR, RF, acoustic, seismic, etc.), and novel materials concepts for superior detection, tracking, identification (DT&I), and classification in challenging environments (low-light, high-clutter, high-speed, GPS-denied, obscured). Applications include persistent surveillance, enhanced ISR payload performance, platform survivability, force protection, and remote sensing.
- AI-Powered Multi-INT Exploitation & Decision Support: Creating sophisticated, trustworthy AI/ML algorithms optimized for real-time analysis of diverse intelligence data streams (Multi-INT). Focus includes automated pattern-of-life analysis, anomaly detection, predictive threat modeling, course-of-action assessment, and intuitive decision support tools deployable from secure cloud environments (e.g., GovCloud) to tactical edge devices for information dominance.
- Enhanced Autonomous Systems Capabilities: Integrating advanced perception (including neuromorphic vision for low-latency reaction), AI-driven control algorithms, secure and resilient communications (LPI/LPD concepts), and robust navigation techniques (including bio-inspired approaches like anemotaxis) into unmanned platforms (UAVs, UGVs, Swarms) to improve mission effectiveness, operational reach, adaptability in complex terrains, and survivability in contested or denied environments.
- Advanced Defensive Technology Concepts: Researching and conceptualizing novel materials (e.g., graphene metamaterials, BNNTs for thermal management), advanced sensor concepts (e.g., for detecting directed energy signatures), and AI-driven countermeasures to protect critical assets and personnel against emerging threats, including Directed Energy Weapons (DEW - HEL, HPM) and sophisticated electronic warfare (EW) tactics.
- Custom Hardware Acceleration & Low-SWaP Solutions: Designing and leveraging specialized hardware, including custom ROICs, FPAs, Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and System-on-a-Chip (SoC) solutions, to accelerate computationally intensive AI/ML algorithms and sensor processing pipelines for demanding low-Size, Weight, and Power (low-SWaP) applications on embedded systems and edge platforms. Draws on experience developing FPGA-based AI that reduced vulnerabilities and exceeded GPU performance benchmarks in specific tasks.
AetherVision is committed to pushing the boundaries of science and engineering to provide tangible, decisive technological advantages for our clients' most critical missions.
- Verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB): Providing unique eligibility for set-aside and sole-source federal contracting opportunities (FAR 19.14), enabling rapid acquisition pathways for urgent government needs.
- Founder's Unique Multi-Domain Leadership Credibility: Led by Dr. Sunil Kukreja, whose unparalleled experience bridges decorated military service (USAF/Army), senior NASA research leadership (Senior Principal Scientist), international academic center direction (NUS Director), and major defense contractor R&D executive management (Raytheon Assoc. Director, DARPA PI).
- Proven DARPA Program Success & TRL Maturation: Demonstrated ability to successfully conceptualize, propose, win, lead ($5.5M), and execute high-risk, high-reward advanced technology programs (e.g., FENCE TRL-6 neuromorphic prototype delivered exceeding all milestones by 20%+), proving capability to advance technology readiness levels.
- Focus on Disruptive, Mission-Relevant Innovation: Dedication to developing beyond-next-generation technologies (neuromorphic, edge AI, advanced sensing, secure platforms) specifically targeting critical IC and DoD capability gaps and pressing operational challenges.
- Deep Technical Exploitation Expertise: Proven ability, honed through leadership roles, to extract actionable intelligence and insights from complex multi-INT data sources and leverage cutting-edge technology (AI/ML, advanced analytics, neuromorphic) for tangible strategic and tactical advantage.
- Agile, Responsive, and Mission-Focused Execution: A lean, customer-centric SDVOSB structure combined with extensive experience driving large-scale Agile transformations ensures rapid development cycles, adaptability to evolving requirements, and unwavering focus on delivering mission success.
- Expertise in Government R&D Ecosystem Navigation: Extensive experience securing competitive funding ($30M+ grants across career), successfully navigating diverse government mechanisms (SBIR/STTR, BAAs, OTs), and collaborating effectively with government Program Managers and contracting officers across DoD and IC.
- Embedded Commitment to Security & Compliance: Deep, practical understanding and leadership experience implementing robust cybersecurity (NIST SP 800-171, RMF, CMMC principles), secure data governance, and ITAR/EAR compliance essential for sensitive national security work.
- Authentic Commitment to Veterans & Inclusion: Actively prioritizing the recruitment, hiring, development, and support of fellow veterans and fostering a diverse, inclusive workforce as a core company value.