How AI-Powered Software Is Revolutionizing Long-Range Drone Warfare

Inside Project Artemis and the Race for Autonomous Loitering Munitions

The future of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is being rewritten by AI-driven autonomy—and Teledyne FLIR OEM just took a major leap forward. The company announced that Dragoon, a defense tech firm, is deploying its Prism™ Supervisor and Prim SKR software for object detection, tracking, and autonomy in long-range UAS prototypes under Project Artemis. This initiative, spearheaded by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), aims to field low-cost, adaptable drones for contested environments. And Dragoon’s focus? Loitering munitions that can outthink adversaries.

“Dragoon’s use of Prism software underscores its role in delivering defense-critical capabilities for the most demanding battlefield conditions,” Teledyne FLIR OEM stated.

Project Artemis isn’t a solo mission. Four organizations are collaborating to develop next-gen UAS, but Dragoon’s approach stands out. Their Cinder UAS integrates Teledyne FLIR’s Prism software to execute autonomous missions in complex, GPS-denied environments. The key to this capability? Prism SKR, an automatic target recognition system designed to work with FLIR Boson® thermal cameras. It delivers real-time target data even on low-power processors, a critical advantage for Dragoon’s lightweight, long-range platform.

But autonomy isn’t just about spotting targets—it’s about making decisions. That’s where Prism Supervisor comes in. By interfacing with Dragoon’s autopilot system, the software enables real-time mission adjustments, slashing operator workload and reducing the risk of human error. In a contested environment, where seconds matter, this could be the difference between a successful strike and a missed opportunity.

The Bigger Picture: AI as a Force Multiplier

Teledyne FLIR’s announcement isn’t just a product rollout—it’s a glimpse into the Pentagon’s push for scalable, intelligent drones. Project Artemis reflects a broader shift toward systems that can adapt on the fly, leveraging AI to overcome jamming, spoofing, and other electronic warfare tactics. Dragoon’s work with Prism software suggests that loitering munitions, once limited by pre-programmed routes, are evolving into thinking weapons.

For now, the details remain tightly guarded, but one thing is clear: the race for autonomous UAS is accelerating. And with Prism at the helm, the battlefield of tomorrow might be decided not by pilots, but by algorithms.