ASC 3D

What ASC 3D does

Advanced Scientific Concepts LLC (ASC, doing business as ASC 3D) is a privately held sensor company founded in 1987 by Dr. Roger Stettner and headquartered in Goleta, California. The company designs and manufactures global shutter flash LIDAR (gsf-LIDAR) cameras and 3D vision systems for space, defense, airborne, and marine applications. Its core technology is a solid-state, non-scanning, time-of-flight imaging approach that produces co-registered range and intensity point clouds ({X, Y, Z, R, I}) without motion distortion and with range gating capability for imaging through dust, fog, rain, snow, and other obscurants. The product portfolio spans three primary hardware sensors (GSFL-4K for mid-range terrestrial/aerial, GSFL-16K for long-range research and degraded visual environments, and GSFL-16KS/GoldenEye, a TRL-9 radiation-hardened space variant qualified to 100 krad), AI-enabled intelligent vision systems (isd-3DVS architecture, i3D-Sensor platform, DPVIS maritime system), custom engineering services, and a Flash LIDAR Digital Twin Prototyping service.

ASC generates revenue through a mix of hardware sales of LIDAR cameras and intelligent vision systems, custom engineering services for tailored LIDAR solutions, SBIR research contracts with U.S. government agencies (U.S. Navy, U.S. Space Force), and digital twin prototyping services. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting government and aerospace customers combined with regional distributor partnerships in Korea (WEGOES), Japan (SOJITZ Aerospace), and India (AGNIROTH), supplemented by active participation in defense and space industry conferences. The customer base is concentrated in U.S. government agencies and prime defense contractors, including NASA (OSIRIS-REx, ISS, Morpheus), U.S. Space Force (Phase II SBIR for cargo rocket landing), U.S. Navy (autonomous surface vessels, at-sea rearmament), Ball Aerospace (TotalSight integration), Lockheed Martin and Boeing (CST-100 Starliner). Since March 2016, ASC has operated as an independent subsidiary of Continental AG following the divestiture of the ASCar commercial automotive LIDAR division.

Name

ASC 3D

Legal name

Advanced Scientific Concepts LLC

Website

https://asc3d.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ASC 3D (Advanced Scientific Concepts LLC) designs and manufactures solid-state global shutter flash LIDAR cameras and AI-enabled 3D vision systems for space, defense, airborne, and maritime customers, including NASA, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Space Force, and major defense primes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

3D Flash LIDAR Cameras and Sensors

NAICS

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

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

LiDAR & 3D Sensing Modules (HDAHALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

3D Vision, Depth Sensing & Point Cloud Analytics (HDAAAEAK), Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB)

Keywords

• Flash LIDAR cameras
• 3D vision systems
• Global shutter LIDAR
• Space-grade sensors
• Autonomous navigation sensors

Headquarters

HQ city

Goleta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. LIDAR Camera and Sensor Sales: Sale of proprietary global shutter flash LIDAR cameras including GSFL-4K, GSFL-16K, and GSFL-16KS models. Products are sold as standard off-the-shelf items or customized solutions for specific applications.
2. Custom Solutions and Engineering Services: Custom engineering services leveraging core competencies in optics, pulsed lasers, global shutter flash LIDAR FPAs, camera/sensor electronics, software & 3D perception algorithms, packaging, manufacturing, and testing to develop tailored LIDAR solutions for unique application requirements.
3. Digital Twin Prototyping Services: Physics-based digital twin simulator for flash LIDAR technology that incorporates machine learning and deep learning features, allowing customers to virtually prototype flash LIDAR setups and optimize for maximum target detection probability.
4. SBIR Research Contracts: Small Business Innovation Research contracts with U.S. government agencies (U.S. Navy, U.S. Space Force) for development of specialized 3D intelligent vision sensor solutions.
5. AI-Enabled Vision System Products: Sale of intelligent 3D vision systems (DPVIS) and i3D-Sensor products that integrate AI and machine learning algorithms for autonomous navigation and tracking applications.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ASC 3D develops and manufactures global shutter flash LIDAR cameras and AI-enabled 3D intelligent vision systems for space, defense, airborne, and marine applications. The company's solid-state, non-scanning time-of-flight cameras generate organized point clouds with four-dimensional data per point (azimuth, elevation, distance, intensity) and include range-gating capabilities for imaging through degraded visual environments.

Product overview

ASC 3D is a provider of real-time, global shutter, solid-state, 3D Flash LIDAR (3DFL) ranging/imaging systems. The product portfolio centers on three primary hardware products: GSFL-4K (mid-range terrestrial/aerial LIDAR), GSFL-16K (long-range terrestrial/aerial with range gating), and GSFL-16KS/GoldenEye (space-qualified radiation-hardened variant). The company has expanded into AI-enabled systems with the isd-3DVS architecture powering the DPVIS maritime vision system and i3D-Sensor platform. Services include Custom Solutions leveraging ASC's LIDAR core competencies and Flash LIDAR Digital Twin Prototyping for virtual sensor optimization. Applications span space (rendezvous, docking, planetary landing), military/government (airborne, terrestrial, marine), manned airborne (aerial survey, degraded visual environments), and marine/underwater markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GSFL-4K Mid-range (<100m) 32x128 global shutter flash LIDAR camera suitable for terrestrial, aerial, and short-duration space technology demonstration applications; provides real-time 4K pixel scene range and intensity maps with interchangeable field-of-view kits.
• GSFL-16K Long-range (>5km) 128x128 global shutter flash LIDAR with range-gate capabilities for research, degraded visual environment, terrestrial, aerial, and short-duration space applications; delivers real-time 3D Full Motion Video (3D-FMV).
• GSFL-16KS (GoldenEye) TRL-9, extended range (>6000m), radiation-hardened (100 krad) 128x128 global shutter flash LIDAR designed for satellite proximity operations, planetary landing, and space situational awareness applications.
• DPVIS (Dynamic Positioning Vision Intelligence System) AI-enabled 3D vision system for maritime applications based on the isd-3DVS architecture; autonomously searches, detects, classifies, and locates surface vessels in real time, providing target vessel relative range and bearing at video rates.
• Custom Solutions Custom LIDAR solutions leveraging core competencies in optics, pulsed lasers, global shutter flash LIDAR focal plane arrays, camera/sensor electronics, software and 3D perception algorithms, packaging, manufacturing, and testing to develop tailored LIDAR solutions for unique application requirements.
• Flash LIDAR Digital Twin Prototyping Physics-based digital twin simulator for flash LIDAR technology incorporating machine learning and deep learning features; allows customers to virtually prototype flash LIDAR setups, optimizing for maximum target detection probability and assessing the performance of ML/DL algorithms.

Quantifiable outcome

• TRL-9 achieved - proven operational in space on OSIRIS-REx, ISS operations, and Space Shuttle Endeavor
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, former and regional.

• AFWERXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2020ASC selected as top team from AFWERX Space Challenge to exhibit at EngageSpace, competing in Persistent ISR Challenge and Space Asset Resiliency Challenge. AFWERX is the catalyst for fostering innovation within the U.S. Air Force.
• Ball AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2019Ball Aerospace integrates ASC LIDAR sensors into their TotalSight Flash LIDAR system for defense and security applications. Featured in Earth Imaging Journal Sensor Spotlight as a commercial product using ASC technology.
• Continental AGformerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2016ASC Inc. was acquired by Continental AG in 2016. Continental acquired the ASCar division to mass produce flash LIDARs for the commercial automotive industry (ADAS and autonomous vehicles). ASC LLC was created as an independent entity to continue serving space, military, manned airborne, and bathymetric markets.
• WEGOES CO., LTD.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Korea located at B1706, Intellige2, 177, Jeongja 1Ro, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 463-841, Republic of Korea. Contact: Glen Kim ([email protected]), Phone: 82-31-749-0118.
• SOJITZ AEROSPACE CORPORATIONregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for Japan located at Marunouchi Trust Tower Main 4th Fl., 8-3, Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0005, Japan. Business Development Department, Phone: 81-31-6870-7000.
• AGNIROTH OPTIKregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor for India located at 1754 Technology Drive, San Jose, CA 95110, Suite 143 (US contact office). Contact: Shyamal Chaudhury ([email protected]), Phone: (408) 770-4851 x 122.
• NASA / Lockheed MartincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSIRIS-REx mission utilized ASC global shutter flash LIDAR for asteroid sample return operations. ASC LIDAR technology is a proven sensor for spacecraft navigation and docking applications.
• NASA / BoeingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCST-100 Starliner (Crew Space Transportation) mission utilized ASC global shutter flash LIDAR technology for spacecraft navigation and docking operations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Innoviz Technologies: Solid-state LiDAR sensor company focused on automotive and industrial mobility. Comparable to ASC as a solid-state, non-scanning LiDAR competitor pursuing mobility/autonomy adjacencies.
• Luminar Technologies: Automotive-focused long-range LiDAR sensor company pursuing commercial vehicle autonomy and adjacent aerospace/defense partnerships. Comparable to ASC as a long-range LiDAR specialist with overlapping ambitions in aerospace/mobility applications.

Broad incumbents

• Mercury Systems: Defense electronics and sensor subsystem supplier serving primes and DoD across radar, EW, and mission-critical processing. Comparable to ASC as a defense-grade sensor/electronics vendor targeting prime contractor integration programs.
• Teledyne FLIR: Large defense and industrial imaging/sensor company providing cameras, LiDAR, and multi-spectral systems to military, aerospace, and security customers. Comparable to ASC as a broader incumbent defense sensor supplier competing for similar DoD/prime integrator programs.
• L3Harris Technologies: Major defense prime integrator producing sensors, avionics, and integrated navigation systems for military and space customers. Comparable to ASC as a potential supplier/customer interface for space situational awareness and autonomous-navigation programs.
• Hexagon (Leica Geosystems): Global provider of geospatial and 3D scanning LiDAR systems (Leica BLK, RTC360, Pegasus) for surveying, mapping, and autonomy. Comparable to ASC as a major LiDAR hardware vendor with multi-segment presence including defense and airborne applications.
• Trimble: Provider of geospatial, surveying, and autonomous-navigation sensors (including LiDAR-based mobile mapping). Comparable to ASC at the intersection of LiDAR hardware and software-defined positioning/navigation workflows.
• BAE Systems: Global defense prime integrator producing autonomous systems, navigation, and EO/IR sensor suites for naval, land, and air platforms. Comparable to ASC as a defense-systems incumbent that integrates or competes with niche sensor suppliers like ASC.

Direct peers

• RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems: Austrian manufacturer of high-performance LiDAR sensors and scanners for surveying, airborne, terrestrial, and mobile mapping. Comparable to ASC as a top-tier LiDAR hardware vendor targeting professional/defense markets with high-precision range and intensity products.
• Ouster (including Velodyne): LiDAR sensor company formed via the Velodyne-Ouster merger, offering digital flash and scanning LiDAR for automotive, robotics, and smart infrastructure. Comparable to ASC as a flash and digital LiDAR hardware competitor pursuing adjacent defense/industrial verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@asc3d
• Facebookfacebook.com/ASC-3D-107467721628790
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asc-3d
• Instagraminstagram.com/asc3d_/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 ASC 3D