Teledyne FLIR brings new vision tech to USVs

Teledyne FLIR Marine has introduced the FLIR M364C-USV, a multispectral maritime camera system developed for autonomous and uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).

The system combines thermal and visible imaging in a rugged pan-and-tilt platform, providing operators and autonomous systems with imagery for navigation, obstacle detection and situational awareness. It is designed to operate around the clock and in challenging conditions including glare, haze and low visibility.

Designed for autonomous operations

The M364C-USV has been developed specifically for remote and uncrewed vessel applications, with potential uses spanning navigation, obstacle avoidance, surveillance, security, environmental monitoring and scientific research.

Its reinforced pan-and-tilt system and continuous-duty design are intended to support extended missions, while thermal and visible imaging provide additional information in conditions where conventional cameras can be limited.

“Autonomous and uncrewed vessels depend on reliable sensing technologies to operate safely and effectively in dynamic maritime environments,” says Michelle Hildyard (who spoke, in 2025, to MIN about careers in marine electronics), general manager of Teledyne FLIR Marine.

“The M364C-USV delivers the real-time visibility and situational awareness operators need to make better decisions, avoid hazards and support mission success, while providing the durability required for continuous operation at sea.”

Supporting autonomy and machine vision

The camera has also been designed to simplify integration with autonomy, remote control, and mission management systems. Teledyne FLIR says its thermal and visible imagery can support advanced analytics, AI-enabled workflows, and machine vision applications. Aligned video and telemetry data are intended to provide additional inputs for vessel tracking, navigation and situational awareness.

The combination is designed to help developers integrate imaging capabilities into autonomous vessel platforms and accelerate the deployment of new USV applications.

Improving visibility in difficult conditions

By using thermal and visible imaging, the M364C-USV is designed to help identify vessels, navigation markers, and other potential obstacles in daylight, darkness, and periods of reduced visibility.

The technology is intended to give autonomous and remotely operated vessels a broader view of their surroundings, supporting navigation and decision-making across changing marine conditions.

Available to order

The FLIR M364C-USV is now available to order and comes with a two-year limited warranty designed around the continuous, high-duty-cycle operating profiles associated with USV platforms.

The camera forms part of Teledyne FLIR Marine’s wider portfolio of maritime imaging solutions for crewed, remotely operated and autonomous vessels.