World’s first nuclear-resistant spy robot debuts for protecting US missile silos
According to Bounce Imaging, this system is the only tactical camera approved for nuclear asset protection operations.
Updated: May 07, 2025 08:36 AM EST Kapil Kajal
Bounce Imaging, a company based in the US, has developed a new camera robot to improve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
This technology aims to prevent hostile access to nuclear weapons silos.
The system, dubbed the Recce360 Deep Inspection Camera, is being presented at this week’s SOF Week exhibition and positioned as a first-of-its-kind ISR asset certified for deployment in high-security, electromagnetically restrictive environments.
World’s first nuclear-resistant camera
Developed in direct response to classified vulnerability assessments concerning potential unauthorized entry into nuclear storage infrastructure, the Recce360 system represents a hardened, non-emitting surveillance solution engineered for denied or degraded environments, Military Embedded Systems (MES) reported.
According to Bounce Imaging, this system is the only tactical camera approved for nuclear asset protection operations.
Certification was achieved following successful trials under “Dash 12” environmental testing standards, which are rigorous criteria typically applied to systems deployed in electromagnetic-sensitive or signal-restricted domains.
Unlike conventional drones or robotic platforms, which rely on wireless communications and emit electromagnetic signatures that could interfere with strategic systems, the Recce360 operates via an armored fiber-optic tether.
This deliberate design eliminates RF (radio frequency) transmission risk while providing secure, real-time visual intelligence to operators at a safe stand-off distance.
The sensor head is housed in a metallic shielded casing, with copper-shielded optical lenses to ensure zero electromagnetic emission, an essential feature when operating in proximity to nuclear command-and-control systems, launch mechanisms, or active warhead storage.
Francisco Aguilar, CEO of Bounce Imaging, told MES that the operational necessity behind the platform is important.
“Operators responsible for securing strategic nuclear assets have traditionally lacked access to certified ISR tools that can be safely inserted into sensitive enclosures. Existing robotic solutions are incompatible due to emissions concerns.”
He added, “As a result, they’re left with no choice but to physically enter the silo, which introduces both risk and delay. The Recce360 solves that problem—it’s shielded at every level, including the lenses.”
Beyond nuclear
Beyond nuclear deterrent infrastructure, the system is anticipated to have broader defense and homeland security applications.
Use cases include inspection and monitoring secure government facilities, hardened bunkers, industrial plants under RF control protocols, and other national security sites where signal discipline is mandated.
The Recce360’s panoramic optical payload enables 360-degree situational awareness, even in zero-light or obstructed environments, and is deployable in vertical shafts, confined spaces, or subgrade infrastructure via its tethered cable.
In addition to the Recce360 unveiling, Bounce Imaging debuted its Thermal Camera Spike at SOF Week.
This additional ISR offering is a deployable, 360-degree thermal imaging device optimized for perimeter security and forward operating site monitoring.
The system is developed through direct feedback from US Army field exercises and is compatible with human and robotic deployment methods.
Its ruggedized form factor and thermal resolution make it suitable for rapid emplacement during high-tempo operations where immediate thermal situational awareness is required.
Together, these platforms underscore a clear shift in tactical ISR development toward specialized, emission-controlled surveillance tools capable of operating in the most sensitive defense environments.
Bounce Imaging’s latest offerings are tailored to address emergent gaps in nuclear infrastructure security and perimeter ISR, aligning with current operational demands in strategic and irregular warfare domains.
https://interestingengineering.com/military/worlds-first-nuke-proof-spy-camera