What really sets MARSS apart is its ability to fuse all available sensor data—from radar, EO/IR cameras, RF, sonar, and other surveillance tools —onto a single intuitive interface. This unique approach provides users with a complete, real-time operational picture on a single screen, minimizing the need to juggle disjointed systems, across multiple displays, and the resulting additional operators.
UNCONSTRAINED INTEGRATION
Unlike conventional C2/C4 platforms, NiDAR is sensor and countermeasure agnostic, allowing seamless integration with existing security systems. With a design basis unconstrained by traditional defense thinking, NiDAR’s design principles ensure that the user interface is intuitive: if you can use a smartphone, you can use NiDAR. This approach reduces training burden and skill fade.
A key highlight of NiDAR’s capabilities is its role in significantly reducing the cognitive burden on operators. Powered by its Hybrid Intelligence approach—a combination of AI, algorithms and human intelligence— NiDAR’s automated detection, tracking, classification and response-recommendation, allows personnel to focus on critical decision-making rather than being overwhelmed by the data. As Rob Balloch, Chief Growth Officer for MARSS describes it, “NiDAR is the classic 1+1=3, where MARSS’ NiDAR platform converts disparate sensor data into a powerful, actionable intelligence framework.”
Designed from an “internet of things” basis, NiDAR is flexible and scalable. With all data processed locally, NiDAR can be used in isolation, or networked to share a common multi-domain picture. Recently, NiDAR’s capabilities have been enhanced to allow an operator to task manned and unmanned systems that can perform ISR tasks, beyond the reach of local sensors, or be used to intercept air, surface or sub-surface threats.
ON THE FRONT LINE
Having originally focused on surveillance systems for superyachts,
MARSS’ systems moved on-land and into defense. With more than 55 global installations, MARSS’ products are today protecting millions of people, vital infrastructure, and critical marine-based assets.
In recent years, MARSS achieved several landmark milestones in the naval sector, with its first appearance on a combat support vessel, and, more recently, securing a contract to install NiDAR and associated sensors on combat facing vessels.
The first of these saw NiDAR’s C2 and CUAS suite fully integrated onto the Canadian Royal Navy’s combat support ship (CSS) Asterix. The second of these has seen MARSS install NiDAR on multiple corvette-class combat ships, operated by a South-East Asian navy.
In both installations, customers have been able to take advantage of NiDAR’s ability to fuse with legacy security systems, as well as facilitate the installation of cutting-edge sensors. For operators, NiDAR is enhancing situational awareness and providing a unified tactical picture, enabling rapid detection, tracking, and classification of asymmetric threats. This integration improves operational efficiency and provides robust defensive capabilities in increasingly complex maritime environments.
With bases in the UK, Monaco, and Saudi Arabia, MARSS is positioned to help global customers protect their critical infrastructure and their vital assets as naval threats evolve.
This feature appeared in ON&T Magazine’s 2025 March Edition, Naval Defense & Intelligence, to read more access the magazine here.
