Science Applications International Corporation, a leading technology integrator better known simply as SAIC, recently held a demonstration of one of its latest projects ahead of this week’s Space and Missile Defense Symposium at the Von Braun Center.

The Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) was displayed at the Huntsville Innovation Factory Hub located at SAIC, now operating in its fourth decade in the city, in Cummings Research Park.

The system detects drones and alerts the operator if there is a potential threat. The operator, using a virtual headset, can visually observe the drone and determine if it should be intercepted for landing in a safe zone, returned to where it originated, or eliminated.

“The unique thing about this product is it was birthed right here where you are standing (in the Innovation Factory),’’ said Greg Fortier, Vice President of the Fires, Aviation and Missile Defense business unit headquartered in
Huntsville.

The SMD Symposium is Aug. 9-11 at the VBC.

The CUAS features four phases: detection, tracking, identification and defeat. The system integrates the three Innovation Factory principles of utilizing digital technology, engineering and artificial intelligence in deciding if the drone is friend or foe.

Greg Fortier explains the function of the Huntsville Innovation Factory Hub headquartered at SAIC’s site in Cummings Research Park.

“This technology doesn’t just map to the Army, it also maps to our civilians and our federal (agencies),’’ said Fortier, a Connecticut native, West Point graduate and well-traveled combat veteran and pilot who also held command and staff positions in the Army.

Fortier said the CUAS system can be used for federal departments such as transportation and state, at airports or borders and anywhere a drone could threaten. He added CUAS might also be deployed internationally.

“It’s not just the ability to take down a threat, it’s the ability to detect a threat,’’ he said. “Our ability to detect is critical.’’

Lead engineer Jeremy Davidson, a native of Boaz, has been with SAIC since he graduated from UAH in 2005. He has worked on the CUAS project for the last four years.

He said the project has developed along with contracted customers, including some on Redstone Arsenal. “We’re able to bring together data analytics to the surface for decision makers and post-mission to inform not only current execution but future execution.’’ Davidson explained.

Live and post-mission information can be relayed to proper agencies such as the police. “We’re focused on what (system) users are we looking at to answer their challenges, whether it’s a (military) base, a city, New Year’s Eve event, maybe Panoply here around town or maybe a Toyota Field event or Orion Amphitheater events. We really look at it from a total mission: what threats are we trying to combat.’’

According to SAIC, the Innovation Factory “enables the rapid identification, vetting, adaptation, and delivery of innovative solutions to agencies. It uses modern, efficient approaches that reduce the risk and friction of exploring emerging technologies and applying them to customer missions.’’

The CUAS project was headed by an SAIC team that included military personnel, veterans and technologists.

“You name it, we got it,’’ Fortier said. “That being said we continue to hire.’’

Partners with SAIC in developing the CUAS system are Sanmina, D-Fend, Droneshield, Epirus, HurleyIR, Kod, Infiniti, Persistent systems, Liteye and Rada USA.

SAIC is headquartered in Virginia. The Huntsville location, built in the 1980s when Fortier said the building was “surrounded by 400,000-plus acres of farmland,” is the Fortune 500 company’s second largest site. SAIC employs 26,000 people with 10 percent located in Huntsville.