AEye (LIDR) said Tuesday it has begun shipments of its Apollo lidar sensor to an unnamed US defense contractor.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The company said Apollo is an ultra-long-range lidar sensor for use in both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, and can provide risk and safety improvements during flight mission scenarios. The sensor is intended to accurately detect objects at longer distances, the company added.

Shares of AEye were up more than 18% pre-bell Tuesday.