Overwatch Imaging to Supply Montana DNRC with Cutting-Edge Sensors Ahead of 2025 Fire Season

Overwatch TK-8 Smart Sensors Will Deliver Real-Time Intelligence for the Agency’s Response Efforts

Overwatch Imaging TK-8 Smart Sensor is equipped with powerful onboard processing and analytics as well as imagers in RGB, NIR, SWIR, LWIR and MWIR spectral bands.

Overwatch Imaging will deliver three of its most powerful multispectral imaging systems to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) ahead of the 2025 wildfire season.

The imaging will help DNRC detect wildfires through mapping and provide response capabilities on more than 50 million acres of public and private land across the state.  Overwatch's imaging’s TK-8 Smart Sensors will attach to DNRC's fleet of light fixed-wing aircraft, to provide real-time intelligence to effectively detect and safely fight wildfires.

Overwatch Imaging combines advanced multispectral sensor technology with powerful onboard computing and automation software to capture, process and deliver time-critical wildfire intelligence with limited demand for human operation.

"As wildfires continue to escalate in size, intensity, and destructive potential around our nation and around the world, the need for agencies to adopt new technology is more important than ever," said Greg Davis, Founder and CEO of Overwatch Imaging.

"By integrating our smart sensors and automated sensor operator software into its fleet, Montana DNRC is empowering its responders with the real-time intelligence they need to do their jobs more effectively, efficiently and safely. This technology will enable firefighting teams to make more informed and faster decisions in challenging and dynamic environments, which ultimately will save property and save lives.”

With advanced onboard processing and real-time analysis software, the TK-8 Smart Sensor automates key tasks such as wide-area image collection, heat detection, fire perimeter analysis, and data optimization for rapid sharing. The system features sensors in five spectral bands—RGB/Visible, Near Infrared, Shortwave Infrared, Mid-Wave Infrared, and Longwave Infrared—allowing operators to see through smoke, detect hotspots, generate fire perimeters and map large areas in challenging conditions.

“Thanks to continued investments from the legislature, this new technology enhances the state’s ability to detect wildfires earlier, when they are still small and manageable, helping us respond more quickly to protect Montana’s communities and natural resources,” said DNRC Forestry Deputy Administrator Wyatt Frampton.

Real-time maps of an active wildfire reveal different details depending on the spectral band of the imagery. Factors like smoke density, fire intensity, temperature and time of day, fire size and thermal loading all influence the intelligence gathering process. With simultaneous imaging across five spectral bands, the TK-8 delivers the most complete picture possible regardless of environmental conditions.

---

TK-8 Capabilities:

• Automated Wide-Area Imaging: Captures large-scale, high-resolution imagery with precise geolocation to provide comprehensive situational awareness. Onboard software stitches together image data into orthomosaic maps that are then processed for rapid dissemination

• Multi-Spectral Fire Detection and mapping: Utilizes five spectral bands—RGB/Visible, Near Infrared, Shortwave Infrared, Mid-Wave Infrared, and Longwave Infrared—to detect heat sources, see through smoke, and identify fire perimeters with precision. System collects, analyzes and processes imagery in all spectral bands simultaneously.

  
  

• AI-Powered Fire Perimeter Mapping: Overwatch software automatically analyzes thermal data in real-time, outlines fire boundaries and heat detections, and creates low-bandwidth fire perimeter files for rapid sharing.

• Real-Time Data Processing & Optimization: Onboard computing reduces large amounts of raw data into actionable intelligence products and optimizes file size and format for low-bandwidth distribution, ensuring rapid access to critical intelligence.

• Enhanced Mission Efficiency: Automates key workflows such as image stitching, orthorectification and thermal anomaly detection, reducing operator workload and increasing response effectiveness.

  
  

• Rapid integration, simple operation: Designed for ease of use and simple integration, the system operates with a laptop or tablet, allowing for versatility across various aircraft, use cases and operational scenarios.

---

About Overwatch Imaging:

Overwatch Imaging develops advanced, AI-powered software and sensors for civil and defense tactical airborne intelligence operations. We integrate cutting-edge multispectral sensors, AI-driven automation software and edge computing to empower organizations to conduct airborne intelligence missions with increased effectiveness and decreased dependence on direct human operation.

By driving the transition to autonomous aerial intelligence, Overwatch Imaging helps organizations improve operational efficiency, enhance mission capabilities and shift human tasking away from repetitive data collection and analysis to more important decision-making.

Founded in 2016 in Hood River, Oregon, Overwatch Imaging is a venture-backed technology startup on a mission to deliver critical intelligence faster through automation. We support a diverse range of time-critical missions around the world, including maritime search and rescue, ISR, wildfire and disaster mapping, border security, counter-narcotics, infrastructure inspection, and tactical defense applications.

Contact:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Adam Lapierre: adam@overwatchimaging.com

Marketing Manager, Overwatch Imaging

541-716-4830