DroneShield taps OpenWorks Engineering for optical sensors

DroneShield announced interoperability between its DroneSentry-C2 command-and-control (C2) software and optical sensing technologies from OpenWorks Engineering. The partnership strengthens DroneShield’s ability to unify multi-domain sensor inputs within a single operational C2 environment, delivering enhanced detection, tracking, and decision superiority for end users. OpenWorks Engineering is a UK-based technology company specialising in advanced optical sensor systems and imaging solutions for defence, security, and industrial applications. With a heritage rooted in delivering modular, high-resolution optical sensing for challenging environments, OpenWorks remains focused on precision detection, identification, and continuous tracking of airborne objects. Interoperability with OpenWorks Engineering optical sensors adds another high-value option to DroneShield’s ecosystem, enabling customers to enhance visual detection, tracking, and identification capabilities within a single, cohesive command-and-control environment. While additional sensors enhance coverage, operational advantage is achieved at the command-and-control layer. DroneSentry-C2 serves as the authoritative decision engine that combines and prioritizes inputs across RF, optical, and other supported modalities. Within the DroneSentry-C2 platform, powered by its SensorFusion engine sits DroneShield’s proprietary DroneOptID, an AI-driven machine vision capability designed to deliver autonomous visual detection, validation, and tracking of drone threats using optical sensors such as OpenWorks. DroneOptID enhances the common operating picture by providing real-time visual confirmation once a drone is detected and cued by the broader sensor network. DroneOptID automatically slews the camera to the target, validates the threat, and maintains persistent tracking using advanced machine learning, without requiring manual or continuous operator input. DroneOptID also assists in assessing payload indicators, modifications, and countermeasure effectiveness, while securely storing video for post-event review and forensic analysis, strengthening layered airspace security across the DroneSentry-C2 ecosystem. Rather than presenting operators with parallel systems or fragmented dashboards, DroneSentry-C2 provides a unified operational interface where sensor data is fused, contextualized, and prioritized in real time, with DroneSentry-C2 Enterprise enabling coordinated oversight across geographically dispersed and enterprise-scale deployments. “Operators need clarity, not complexity,” said Angus Bean, DroneShield’s Chief Product Officer. “Expanding our ecosystem with additional optical sensing technologies from OpenWorks Engineering gives customers more options to tailor their deployments, while SensorFusionAI ensures all inputs are combined into a clear, operational picture.” “Collaboration with DroneShield enhances channels through which intelligent and autonomous vision systems from OpenWorks can be deployed. We share DroneShield’s approach to modularity, creating configurable ecosystems of technology that are interoperable with end-users’ existing systems. We look forward to further strengthening our relationship with DroneShield throughout 2026,” stated James Cross, Chief Commercial Officer for OpenWorks. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]