Tracking electronic signals from space — known as radio frequency (RF) monitoring — is changing the game in surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The once highly-classified capability to detect and geolocate radio frequency (RF) signals from space is rapidly transitioning to the commercial sector.
Companies like HawkEye 360 are fielding constellations of shoebox-sized satellites that can track ships, aircraft, and other emitters, providing intelligence on "dark" targets evading traditional detection.
As retired Adm. James Winnefeld, HawkEye 360 board member, puts it: "We're only scratching the surface of what's possible."
Beyond maritime applications, a new frontier is emerging in monitoring land-based RF signals emitted by GPS, communications devices and more. "You're going to see more RF processing capability, more frequency coverage, more sensitivity," Winnefeld says.
U.S. firms aren't alone in this space. European startups like Aerospacelab and Unseenlabs are capitalizing on democratized access to space tech, unveiling ambitious plans for advanced RF monitoring satellites and data analytics.
Meanwhile, SAR operators like Capella and Iceye are rolling out their own maritime intelligence services to detect "dark vessels."
Winnefeld highlights the value of fusing disparate data sources through "tipping and cueing" approaches that leverage the strengths of different sensing phenomenologies. But he warns that lack of awareness and rigid procurement processes could hinder government adoption of these emerging commercial capabilities.
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