The National Reconnaissance Office has awarded six companies separate contracts under the Strategic Commercial Enhancements program to provide insight into radio frequency remote sensing capabilities.
Aurora Insight, HawkEye 360, Kleos Space, PredaSAR, Spire Global and Umbra Lab will conduct studies to inform the acquisition and integration of commercial space-based data into the agency’s overhead architecture, NRO said Wednesday.
In a separate announcement, HawkEye 360 said it will model and simulate RF-sensing capabilities, perform accuracy and quality checks and demonstrate the overhead delivery of RF data into mobile, transportable and fixed ground stations worldwide.
“Leveraging nearly four years of on-orbit operational experience, HawkEye 360 appreciates the opportunity to continue its work with the NRO to integrate commercial RF innovations into its evolving architecture,” said Alex Fox, chief growth officer for HawkEye 360.
Spire Global said it operates a constellation of more than 100 multipurpose satellites that monitors RF signals to provide maritime, aviation and weather intelligence.
“The remote sensing technique of monitoring radio frequency signals plays a crucial role in gathering intelligence through GNSS jamming detection and geolocation, as well as providing an objective and transparent view into the movement of vessels and aircraft,” said Chuck Cash, vice president of federal sales at Spire Global.
