Summary
From counter UAS deployments and defense partnerships to autonomy, ruggedized imaging systems, and the future of situational intelligence, this month’s Panoramic Perspective Recap highlights how Circle Optics is helping shape mission ready perception systems for a safer, smarter, more immersive world. In this issue, we explore our recent deployment with Deepnight across U.S. Air Force installations, insights from SOF Week and XPONENTIAL 2026, and collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology to advance field ready imaging systems. Across each story is a shared theme: better awareness drives better decisions. We invite you to explore the latest developments and join the conversation on the future of panoramic perception, autonomy, and counter UAS capability.
At Circle Optics, Inc., innovation is most meaningful when it moves beyond possibility and into real world application. This month’s Panoramic Perspective Recap highlights how stitch free panoramic perception, trusted partnerships, and systems level thinking are helping shape the future of autonomy, counter UAS capability, and mission ready situational intelligence. From deployments across U.S. Air Force installations and conversations at SOF Week and XPONENTIAL 2026 to hands on engineering collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology, each story reflects a shared commitment to enabling clearer awareness in increasingly complex environments. As demands for speed, accuracy, and operational understanding continue to grow, we remain focused on helping customers and collaborators see more, understand more, and act with greater confidence
Circle Optics and Deepnight Deploy Integrated Counter UAS Capability Across U.S. Air Force Installations
Circle Optics recently announced a deployment with Deepnight supporting counter-UAS operations across two U.S. Air Force installations, Barksdale Air Force Base and Barry M. Goldwater Range.
“AI is transforming every industry, and cameras are no exception,” said Circle Optics CEO Zak (Zakariya) Niazi ,”Ten years ago extracting meaningful signal from a visible-light camera at night—especially in conditions with low moonlight—would have been nearly impossible. Deepnight is changing what’s possible by extending the sensitivity of visible camera systems into nighttime operations. For customers who need reliable awareness and counter-UAS capability 24/7, that is a game changer.”
The installation across two Air Force bases reflects continued validation of integrated sensing and AI architectures designed for perimeter security and counter UAS missions where timing, accuracy, and consistency are critical.
“The system must be robust in the darkest conditions – think no moonlight, no light pollution, and only ambient starlight,” said Nate Gipson , Business Development lead at Deepnight . “Our role is to ensure that the visual data feeding both operators and machine vision remains even in the worst conditions, so systems like Circle Optics’ can maintain consistent performance across day and night operations.”
Circle Optics at Sof Week
At SOF Week, Circle Optics joined conversations shaping the future of defense innovation, autonomy, and mission readiness through real time panoramic perception, while strengthening relationships with customers, collaborators, and transition leaders advancing mission ready technologies. From reconnecting with Deepnight and engaging with John McCanney of the ART Program, and Lisa Belodoff of the Bell Collaborative , the week reinforced an important truth: breakthrough technologies move faster when technical capability, trusted partnerships, and operational relevance align. Jennifer Sertl, Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at Circle Optics, participated in discussions focused on how Pegasus and stitch free panoramic perception can support faster, clearer situational understanding in complex mission environments
Circle Optics at XPONENTIAL
Why Situational Intelligence Matters in the Future of Autonomy
The Circle Optics team recently attended XPONENTIAL 2026 to engage with leaders across autonomy, defense, sensing, aerospace, and software ecosystems and explore the technologies shaping the future of autonomous systems. Chief Research Officer Andrew Kurtz , Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships Jennifer Sertl, and Software Engineer Grace Annese returned with a shared observation: the future of autonomy increasingly depends on better environmental understanding and situational intelligence. Through conversations spanning panoramic sensing, software integration, detect and avoid, and counter UAS applications, the event reinforced why perception systems matter in complex environments. The article explores how Circle Optics’ Pegasus panoramic capture platform fits into an evolving ecosystem where organizations are seeking greater awareness while reducing operational complexity. Read more about the insights, partnerships, and future possibilities shaping the next generation of autonomy.
Senior design Project at Rochester Institute of Technology
Circle Optics recently supported a Senior Design Project at Rochester Institute of Technology focused on ruggedizing a 360-degree camera enclosure to prevent water ingress and withstand impact. Led by intern Pavel Peshkovsky and guided by Professor Carlos M. Terrero, PE , the team developed both the enclosure and a live demonstration to validate performance under real conditions. The project reflects the growing demand for imaging systems that can operate reliably in demanding environments across defense, aerospace, and autonomy. Students applied hands-on engineering methods, gaining experience in design, testing, and team-based problem solving. This collaboration highlights how academic work, when grounded in real world constraints, can directly inform field ready system development.
Circle Optics Supports RIT Senior Design Project on Imaging System Ruggedization
As autonomy, perimeter security, and counter UAS missions continue to evolve, one truth is becoming increasingly clear: situational intelligence begins with better perception. At Circle Optics, we believe stitch free panoramic awareness has an important role to play in helping operators and autonomous systems make faster, more informed decisions in complex environments. Whether supporting detect and avoid, perimeter awareness, or integrated counter UAS architectures, our focus remains the same: enabling clearer understanding when timing and accuracy matter most.
If your team is exploring next generation sensing, autonomous systems, or counter UAS capabilities, we welcome the opportunity to connect, share what we are learning, and explore how panoramic situational intelligence can support your mission.
Connect with Zak (Zakariya) Niazi or Jennifer Sertl
