Photo: HawkEye 360

HawkEye 360 has signed a two-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to demonstrate its technology to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC). The CRADA will explore how the company’s radio frequency (RF) data and analytics can tactically support SMDC. 

Under the agreement announced Thursday, HawkEye 360 will conduct on-orbit experiments and demonstrations of its satellites and ground systems to deliver tactical RF information. This includes satellite tasking, direct downlink to mobile ground stations, signal detection, characterization, geolocation, integration and dissemination into Army systems, and automated tip-and-cue of Army ISR assets.

SMDC develops and provides global space, missile defense, and high-altitude capabilities to the Army, Joint Force, and allies. 

Alex Fox, HawkEye 360 chief growth officer commented: “This partnership will support the Army’s modernization initiative to develop more efficient, effective, and resilient systems that strengthen how the U.S. Army mobilizes, protects, and sustains expeditionary forces leveraging tactically relevant commercial RF information. We aim to seamlessly integrate our space-based RF data into their Multi-Domain Operational environment.”

Earlier this month, data relay company SpaceLink signed a similar CRADA with SMDC. SpaceLink said it will collaborate with Earth observation companies that have CRADAs with the U.S. Army to explore how the company’s data relay constellation would transit their critical imagery and sensing data to the military more quickly.