Sentinel Photonics
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersFarnborough, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Sentinel Photonics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sentinel Photonics
- Legal name
- Sentinel Photonics Ltd
- Website
- https://sentinelphotonics.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sentinel Photonics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defence Laser Detection and Optical Protection Systems
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)
- SIC
- Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fire Control Systems & Weapon Control Electronics (IMABAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons (IMABAGAH), Precision Strike & Fire Control Systems (IMABAOAE), Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL)
Keywords
Where Sentinel Photonics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Farnborough
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sentinel Photonics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Laser Detection Hardware Sales: Sale of laser detection products including LASERD MAX, LASERD MICRO, LASERD NOMAD, and ECHO systems. Products are sold as complete systems with mounting hardware, power kits, and applications included.
- Laser Protection Hardware Sales: Sale of FROST optical protection filters for rifle scopes, optics, rangefinders, designators, and NVGs. Products available in multiple protection levels for diverse operational needs.
- OEM/Embedded Systems: Licensing and sale of modular LASERD sensor units for embedding into platform electronics, defence aid suites, and larger systems. Targets integrators and OEM partners.
- Professional Services and Training: Includes in-country training, lifecycle support, and over-the-air software updates included with product purchases. Integration and technical consultation services provided through channel partners.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels4 records
Sentinel Photonics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sentinel Photonics designs, manufactures, and sells laser detection systems (LASERD product family) and optical protection filters (FROST product family) for military and security users. Its camera-based detection systems identify and classify laser threats such as designators, rangefinders, beamriders, and LIDAR, while its FROST filters prevent retro-reflection and block hostile lasers from damaging optics and revealing user positions.
Product overview
Sentinel Photonics offers two integrated product families: LASERD detection systems and FROST protection filters. The LASERD family includes MAX (advanced camera-based intelligence system), MICRO/MICRO LITE (wearable compact systems), NOMAD (vehicle-mounted platform system), OEM (modular sensor units), and ECHO (covert optics detector). FROST products provide optical protection filters for rifle scopes, rangefinders, designators, and NVGs. Together these systems deliver end-to-end laser threat detection, protection, and laser intelligence (LasINT) for defence and security applications across land, sea, air, and security domains.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LASERD: Family of laser sensing products capable of detecting both pulsed and continuous wave lasers on the battlespace. Includes LASERD MAX, LASERD NOMAD, LASERD MICRO, LASERD OEM variants.
- FROST
- ECHO
Products and services
- LASERD MAX High-performance camera-based laser detection system providing real-time laser intelligence gathering. Scans, detects, and classifies multiple laser threats including rangefinders, designators, beamriders, LIDAR, and retro reflection across wavebands 400-1600nm with detection range up to 10km. Plugs into existing C4ISR systems to cue alerts and effectors. Designed for defence forces operating in contested land, sea, and air domains.
- LASERD MICRO Compact individual-wearable laser warning system (approximately the size of a GoPro) that instantly detects designators and rangefinders. Provides audio, visual, and digital alerts with low false alarm rate. Connects with ATAK and other operational management tools for tactical team awareness. Designed for dismounted soldiers and tactical teams.
- LASERD MICRO LITE Ultra-discreet phone-sized laser warning system weighing less than 0.2kg with IP65 ingress protection. Provides instant audio and visual alerts against hostile laser emissions with 10-30 seconds early warning reaction time. Targeted at Close Protection, Special Operations, Law Enforcement Tactical Units, and Reconnaissance Teams.
- LASERD NOMAD Platform-mounted 360-degree mobile laser threat detection system weighing 1.1kg with vehicle USB power and magnetic/screw mounting. Delivers continuous horizontal and vertical coverage with real-time audio and visual alerts through a rugged handheld application. ITAR-free design supports rapid international deployment.
- LASERD OEM Modular interchangeable sensor units for the LASERD product family. Can be adapted to fit bespoke housing or reoriented for various size, weight, and power requirements for embedding into platforms, defence aid suites, or larger devices. Sold/licensed to integrators and OEM partners.
- ECHO Rugged detection system designed for identifying covert hostile optics including sniper scopes, binoculars, and surveillance gear at long range using retro-reflection. Covers VIS, NIR, and SWIR wavelengths (600-1700nm) and is certified to IP67 and MIL-STD-810G standards. Designed for law enforcement, security, and border teams.
- FROST Rifle Scopes & Optics High-performance protective filters for rifle scopes and optics providing laser protection and counter-surveillance by blocking retro-reflection. FROST housing allows easy connection to multiple sized optics and optic threads while ensuring the highest level of protection without compromising sight picture. Available in multiple protection levels (NIR protection, extended wavelength protection, direct laser exposure protection).
- FROST Laser Rangefinders, Designators & NVGs Bespoke filtered glass solutions for rangefinders, target designators, and night vision goggles providing laser protection and counter-surveillance. Custom waveband filtering ensures full protection without compromising device performance. Can be integrated into the device directly or retrofitted via a custom mask.
Companies that use Sentinel Photonics
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sentinel Photonics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability3 records
Feature7 records
Sentinel Photonics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, minor and standard.
- GalvioncoreStrategic investment and partnership to accelerate deployment of advanced laser detection and protection technologies to allied forces. Combines Sentinel's laser threat detection with Galvion's experience in integrated soldier systems and global defence relationships. Supports product development and North American engagement for NATO and coalition operations.
- StarC4SYSmajorOfficial partner in Romania for LASERD detection systems and FROST retro reflection protection solutions. StarC4SYS provides local expertise and sales channels for Romanian military and security organizations. Partnership supports Romania's growing defence modernisation initiatives.
- TBM NetherlandsmajorAuthorised reseller of LASERD and FROST product lines in the Benelux region (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg). Brings advanced defence and security solutions closer to customers in the region with local expertise and faster access.
- Workforce BattalionminorPartnership to support veteran employment and build careers for those who served. Working with Core Talent Recruitment to offer holistic recruitment process. Symbolises commitment to diversity and honouring veterans.
- Edgar BrotherscoreExclusive and sole distributor for all Sentinel Photonics products within UK MOD and Police Markets. Collaboration to accelerate delivery of LASERD MAX, FROST, and LASERD MICRO to end-users. Edgar Brothers expressed belief that Sentinel's solutions will be game-changing for their customer base.
- Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory)coreSentinel was spun out of Dstl. Dstl provided foundation for core technology and continues to provide technical support. MOD owns a stake in Sentinel. The technology was developed by former Dstl scientists and licensed from Dstl/MOD.
- GlomexstandardStrategic collaboration partner in Poland, part of Sentinel's European expansion strategy.
- Precision Technic Defence GroupstandardStrategic collaboration partner in Denmark, part of Sentinel's European expansion strategy.
- Danager SolutionsstandardInternational partnership covering Australian market.
- OutervisionstandardInternational partnership covering French market.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sentinel Photonics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- ASELSAN: Turkish defence electronics specialist producing laser warning systems and integrated optronic suites for land and naval platforms. Comparable as a regional competitor with active export reach into Asia-Pacific, Africa and Eastern Europe that competes with Sentinel for non-NATO and emerging-market customers.
- Teledyne FLIR: Sensor and imaging specialist offering surveillance, detection and reconnaissance systems with overlap into optics-based threat detection. Comparable in electro-optic sensor technology, particularly for security, border and force-protection segments where Sentinel's ECHO and security lines compete.
Broad incumbents
- Thales: Global defence and aerospace prime with broad electro-optic and laser warning capabilities integrated across vehicles, ships and aircraft. Overlaps Sentinel's product space but competes within much larger multi-billion-dollar platform programmes, offering bundled solutions rather than tactical standalone units.
- Northrop Grumman: US defence prime with multi-spectral laser warning and counter-laser capabilities for air, land and naval platforms. Comparable in threat-detection technology but operates at much larger scale with US-platform-centric offerings.
- BAE Systems: UK defence prime and a natural home-country incumbent with broad electro-optic and platform-protection capabilities, including for UK MOD programmes where Sentinel is competing. Comparable as a UK-based defence electronics provider, though BAE typically operates at platform-of-record scale rather than tactical-kit scale.
- Leonardo: Italian defence prime with electro-optic sensor and threat detection product lines serving land, naval and aviation customers. Comparable in capability overlap (laser warning, optical protection) but typically embedded in larger platform offerings rather than dismounted or small-platform deployments.
- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: Israeli defence house with laser detection and active protection capabilities across vehicle and dismounted applications. Comparable in electro-optic threat detection and protection technology, with a larger installed base and bundled platform offerings.
Direct peers
- Saab: Swedish defence prime offering the BOLIDE and CAMPS laser warning and threat detection systems for ground vehicles and naval platforms. Comparable as a defence-electronics laser warning competitor with strong European footprint overlapping Sentinel's UK/NATO target market.
- Hensoldt: German sensor house that produces the ALERT family of laser warning systems for land, naval and airborne platforms. Highly comparable as a direct laser warning/detection competitor targeting the same NATO and European militaries as Sentinel, though typically sold as part of larger platform integrations rather than standalone tactical kits.
- Elbit Systems: Israeli defence electronics major offering the JAZZ laser warning system and integrated threat detection suites. Direct competitor across dismounted, vehicle and airborne laser warning, with comparable product family breadth and global sales channels into NATO and Indo-Pacific customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sentinel Photonics social profiles
Digital presenceSentinel Photonics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Sentinel Photonics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sentinel Photonics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Sentinel Photonics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sentinel Photonics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sentinel Photonics
What does Sentinel Photonics do?
Sentinel Photonics designs, manufactures, and sells laser detection systems (LASERD product family) and optical protection filters (FROST product family) for military and security users. Its camera-based detection systems identify and classify laser threats such as designators, rangefinders, beamriders, and LIDAR, while its FROST filters prevent retro-reflection and block hostile lasers from damaging optics and revealing user positions.
Is Sentinel Photonics a public or private company?
Sentinel Photonics is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Sentinel Photonics founded?
Sentinel Photonics was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sentinel Photonics based?
Sentinel Photonics is headquartered in Farnborough, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Sentinel Photonics make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Laser Detection Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are laser Protection Hardware Sales, OEM/Embedded Systems and professional Services and Training.
Who are Sentinel Photonics's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are ASELSAN and Teledyne FLIR. Broad incumbents are Thales, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Leonardo and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Direct peers are Saab, Hensoldt and Elbit Systems.
Does Sentinel Photonics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sentinel Photonics.
What industry is Sentinel Photonics in?
Sentinel Photonics's product category is Defence Laser Detection and Optical Protection Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAGAI, Fire Control Systems & Weapon Control Electronics, with a secondary code of IMABAGAH, Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons. Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 3829.