OptiNav

What OptiNav does

OptiNav, Inc. is a privately held acoustic imaging company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, that designs and sells beamforming-based systems for detecting, identifying, and tracking acoustic sources across defense, security, industrial, and research applications. The company is led by founder and president Dr. Robert P. Dougherty, an AIAA Associate Fellow and 2020 AIAA Aeroacoustics Award recipient who invented Functional Beamforming in 2013 and holds four patents. Its product portfolio includes Drone Hound (passive acoustic drone detection and tracking), BeamformX Acoustic Array (general-purpose acoustic imaging system paired with SIG ACAM 140 hardware), Leak Detector (non-invasive compressed air leak identification), Beamform Interactive (postprocessing software for aeroacoustic research), BFLIB (beamforming middleware), and Aircraft Noise Sphere (noise profiling for Urban Air Mobility).

The company's technology stack centers on proprietary Functional Beamforming and Adaptive Beamforming algorithms that provide high dynamic range, no-sidelobe imaging, and superresolution relative to conventional methods, with extensions to in-flow microphone arrays, acoustic holography for jet plumes, and near-field to far-field extrapolation for tactical aircraft noise. Business model combines four revenue streams: SBIR Phase I/II research contracts with NASA, the U.S. Navy, and DoD; one-time software licenses and versioned updates (e.g., BeamformX v7.00 Update at $1,500); hardware-inclusive complete system sales priced via quote; and acoustical consulting and design services for system configuration.

OptiNav sells primarily through direct sales contact (phone, email) supplemented by a self-hosted product storefront for software updates, targeting government defense and aerospace agencies (NASA, Navy, DoD), homeland security and prison operators, manufacturing plants with compressed air systems, and university research institutions. With 1-10 employees, no disclosed institutional capital, and founder-controlled governance, the firm operates as a focused specialty engineering outfit with deep technical moats in acoustic beamforming rather than a broadly scaling enterprise software business.

Name

OptiNav

Legal name

OptiNav, Inc.

Website

https://optinav.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

OptiNav is a privately held Bellevue, WA acoustic imaging company that develops beamforming-based detection and tracking systems for drone security, compressed air leak detection, and aeroacoustic research, serving U.S. government agencies, defense primes, industrial manufacturers, and university researchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Acoustic Imaging Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) & Avionics Computing Platforms (IMABAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

3D Vision, Depth Sensing & Point Cloud Analytics (HDAAAEAK), Audio & Speech Analytics (call analytics, QA, insights) (HDAAAFAH)

Keywords

• Acoustic imaging systems
• Beamforming software
• Drone detection
• Leak detection
• Aeroacoustic measurement

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellevue

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses and Updates: One-time software license sales and version updates. BeamformX v7.00 Update priced at $1,500.00. Software includes BeamformX, Beamform Interactive, and BFLIB middleware.
2. Hardware Sales - Acoustic Arrays: Sale of complete acoustic imaging systems combining SIG ACAM 140/120 hardware with OptiNav software. Includes solid-state sensor arrays, cameras, and digital processors.
3. Acoustical Consulting Services: Professional consulting services for acoustic optimization. Includes system configuration, design services, and support for optimal facility coverage.
4. SBIR Research Contracts: Revenue from Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I and Phase II contracts with NASA, Navy, and Department of Defense for acoustic technology development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

OptiNav develops and sells acoustic imaging systems that combine proprietary beamforming software (Functional Beamforming, invented in 2013 by Dr. Robert P. Dougherty, plus Adaptive Beamforming) with microphone array hardware. Its product portfolio addresses drone detection (Drone Hound), general-purpose aeroacoustic imaging (BeamformX Acoustic Array), compressed air leak detection (Leak Detector), research post-processing (Beamform Interactive), acoustic camera middleware (BFLIB), and Urban Air Mobility noise profiling (Aircraft Noise Sphere).

Product overview

OptiNav offers a portfolio of acoustic imaging products centered on proprietary beamforming algorithms (Functional Beamforming, Adaptive Beamforming) for security, industrial, and research applications. The product line includes Drone Hound (drone detection/tracking system), BeamformX Acoustic Array (general-purpose imaging with SIG ACAM 140 hardware), Leak Detector (compressed air leak detection), Beamform Interactive (research software), BFLIB (middleware for acoustic camera integration), and Aircraft Noise Sphere (UAM noise analysis). The products share core beamforming technology and can be combined with OptiNav design services for custom configurations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Drone Hound: Drone detection and tracking system using passive acoustic sensing to detect, identify, and track Small Unmanned Aerial (sUA) devices
• BFLIB
• Leak Detector
• BeamformX
• Beamform Interactive
• Aircraft Noise Sphere

Products and services

• Drone Hound Passive acoustic sensing system for detecting, identifying, and tracking Small Unmanned Aerial (sUA) devices in powered or glide operation. Uses proprietary aeroacoustic beamforming software to detect and track drones beyond audible range with 360° azimuth and 90° elevation coverage up to 500 meters; designed for security-sensitive environments because it emits no RF signals.
• BeamformX Acoustic Array General-purpose aeroacoustic imaging system combining OptiNav's BeamformX software with SIG ACAM 140 hardware (40 digital microphones, 5M pixel camera, on-board processor). Features patent-pending Robust Functional Beamforming with no sidelobes, high dynamic range, superresolution capabilities, real-time acoustic image display, mp4 video saving, and post-processing of raw data.
• Leak Detector Flexible, remote non-intrusive compressed air leak detection system using acoustic camera technology. Identifies leaks in couplings, hoses, fittings, valves, and industrial equipment up to 100 meters away, with high-resolution acoustic imaging, real-time and post-processing video capabilities, and Windows 8/10 compatibility; targets plant managers seeking to reduce hazards, product loss, wasted energy, and environmental degradation.
• Beamform Interactive Multi-platform postprocessing package for aeroacoustics research, providing extensive specialized capabilities for analyzing acoustic sources and propagation in engineering and biological sciences. Compatible with OptiNav Array 24 and Array 48 systems.
• BFLIB Middleware software component optimized for aeroacoustic beamforming applications, descended from Functional and Adaptive Beamforming techniques. Supports 16-168 microphones, frequencies up to 20 kHz, provides very high dynamic range and high response rate, includes array simulation and delay-and-sum array spectrum functions, and integrates seamlessly with acoustic camera systems.
• Aircraft Noise Sphere Product providing aircraft noise profiles for the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market; assists aircraft manufacturers, service providers, and municipalities in understanding and reducing traffic noise impacts from unmanned aerial systems.
• BeamformX v7.00 Software Update Sold software version update (v7.00) for the BeamformX Acoustic Array system, priced at $1,500.00 and purchased directly through OptiNav's online product store as a one-time/perpetual license.

Quantifiable outcome

• Detect compressed air leaks up to 100 meters away
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and secondary.

• Signal Interface Group (SIG)coreTechnology or IntegrationSIG provides the ACAM 140 Acoustic Array system (40 digital microphones, 5MP camera, on-board processor) which OptiNav pairs with BeamformX software as a complete acoustic imaging solution. This is a technology integration partnership where OptiNav's software is combined with SIG's hardware array.
• NASAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple SBIR contracts with NASA for aeroacoustic technology development including phased array techniques for wind tunnels, airframe noise measurement, and UAV noise analysis. NASA serves as a research partner and customer for OptiNav technology development.
• Department of Defense - NavymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple SBIR contracts with Navy for acoustic near-field predictions on carrier decks, jet noise extrapolation, and acoustic holography for tactical aircraft. The Navy provides funding for technology development while OptiNav provides technical solutions.
• University of WashingtonsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOptiNav arrays (Array 24, Array 48) are used by University of Washington for research in the Kirsten Wind Tunnel. Collaboration on aeroacoustic research and technology validation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Brüel & Kjær (HBK): Global leader in acoustic measurement and phased array systems used for aeroacoustic testing. Directly comparable to OptiNav's BeamformX and BFLIB product lines in serving aerospace/defense and industrial customers, but at much larger scale with a broader hardware-software portfolio.
• gfai tech (Acoustic Camera): Manufactures acoustic camera and beamforming imaging systems for industrial and research applications, closely overlapping with OptiNav's BeamformX and Leak Detector products in target use cases and microphone array technology.
• Sorama: Developer of acoustic imaging cameras based on MEMS microphone arrays, serving industrial noise source localization, leak detection, and R&D — directly overlapping OptiNav's BeamformX and Leak Detector offerings with a similar full-stack hardware-plus-software model.
• Polytec: Provides laser vibrometry and acoustic measurement systems widely used in aeroacoustic and NVH research. Comparable to OptiNav's research-oriented acoustic imaging for aerospace customers and university research labs.
• Sonavis: Acoustic imaging systems for industrial and research acoustic source identification. Closely comparable to OptiNav's beamforming-based imaging offering with similar microphone array hardware and post-processing software.
• SDT International: Ultrasonic detection and acoustic imaging solutions for compressed air leak detection, predictive maintenance, and condition monitoring — directly comparable to OptiNav's Leak Detector product in industrial customer use cases.

Broad incumbents

• Siemens (SoundCam): Industrial acoustic imaging camera (SoundCam) sold into manufacturing and process industries as part of a much larger industrial automation portfolio. Directly comparable in leak detection and acoustic imaging capability, but with broader sales reach and enterprise integration.
• Fluke: Sells industrial acoustic imagers (Fluke ii910, ii920) targeted at compressed air leak detection and partial discharge — overlapping OptiNav's Leak Detector use cases within a much larger test-and-measurement product family.

Emerging players

• Dedrone: Counter-UAS detection and tracking platform serving defense, critical infrastructure, and correctional customers — the same verticals as OptiNav's Drone Hound — but uses RF-based rather than passive acoustic sensing, making it adjacent rather than head-to-head.
• DroneShield: Multi-sensor counter-UAS detection and defeat systems for military, government, and critical infrastructure customers. Overlaps with OptiNav's Drone Hound in the security vertical but with broader sensor fusion and a more commercialized go-to-market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/optinav-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OptiNav