Maritime protection: HGH sells SPYNEL-X infrared system for drone detection aboard an unmanned surface vehicle

On November 3rd, 2026, during the Euronaval exhibition in Paris Nord Villepinte, French electro-optical specialist HGH announced the sale of a SPYNEL-X panoramic infrared camera for integration onto an unmanned surface vehicle (USV). The system will support drone detection and maritime protection operations for ships transiting high-risk waters and congested strategic straits.

Small, fast-moving USVs and low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) often evade standard radar systems, especially in rough seas or poor visibility. HGH’s SPYNEL-X addresses this challenge through passive 360-degree thermal surveillance, operating without blind spots and emitting no signals that could reveal the vessel’s position. Offering the highest image resolution in the SPYNEL product line, the camera enables an escorting USV to extend situational awareness around protected vessels and spot incoming threats at a safe distance.

Paired with HGH’s CYCLOPE video analytics software and proprietary GAIA artificial intelligence, the system automatically detects, tracks, and classifies multiple targets in real time, day or night and in any weather, while filtering out background sea clutter. In addition, SPYNEL-X interfaces with standard maritime protocols including AIS, ECDIS, and ONVIF, allowing real-time tracking data to be shared directly with the USV’s onboard systems.

According to Cyril Marchebout, Sales Director at HGH, maintaining uninterrupted 24/7 awareness is critical for autonomous vessels patrolling straits or escorting commercial shipping. Founded in France in 1982, HGH showcased its counter-drone surveillance technologies at booth C87 in Hall 6 throughout Euronaval.