Tags: Raytheon DARPA, Satellite Imagery, NanoSatellite
Publication: MilitaryAerospace.com
Publication Date: 12/02/2012

Artist’s concept of the coverage area of a single SeeMe satellite Image credit: DARPA

Raytheon‘s Missile Systems segment is partnering with the U.S. military to provide persistent surveillance imagery on-demand to low-echelon warfighters in the field under the Space Enabled Effects for Military Engagements (SeeMe) program. For this, the company signed a contract for $949,679 contract from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

SeeMe will develop technologies that could help make important battlefield imagery available in real time. Instead of using expensive reconnaissance satellites which products are analyzed though a centralized organization, SeeMe would use small, low-cost temporary satellites operating at low altitudes. Raytheon is tasked with designing, building, launching and operating these satellites with a total cost no higher than $500,000 each. The satellites are also expected to use non-traditional RF and optical apertures and imagery processing techniques.

The SeeMe program would allow small U.S. squads and fire-teams access to reliable information in remote and "beyond-line-of-sight" conditions, according to DARPA. The Agency expects to have a constellation of 24 SeeMe satellites operating by 2015.

It is likely that other contractors will also become involved with the SeeMe program.

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