US Navy to use Kleos’ satellite data to track ships

Geological data provider Kleos Space has signed a cooperative research and development agreement with the US Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center Division, Crane (NSWC Crane) for joint data experimentation.

Under the agreement, Kleos will provide its radio frequency (RF) geolocation data in realistic test scenarios to improve maritime domain awareness for real-world challenges.

The possible scenarios include sanctions reporting, embargo, transshipment monitoring, search and rescue, resource management, fisheries control, smuggling, and border control.

The agreement is the first phase of the SCOUT Experimentation Campaign, a collaboration between the Naval Research and Development Establishment, industry players, academia, and US Department of Defence (DoD) technology partners to innovate and integrate holistic solutions for military challenges.

It includes discovery test exercises, which will contribute to the development and integration of technologies that allow for quicker leadership decision-making.

“This is a great opportunity for Kleos to support the US Navy in their efforts to innovate, learn, and find solutions that assist warfighters in quickly making the right decisions in the field,” Kleos’ Chief Revenue Officer, Eric von Eckartsberg said.

“Our RF data greatly expands the search range, access, and volume to reach the vast maritime domain for tipping and queuing of assets. Our clusters of four satellites can collect millions of square miles several times per day, far more efficiently than any aircraft,” Eckartsberg stressed.

The first phase of the SCOUT exercises will begin in mid-2022 and will be spread over a few months before the main experimentation event in Phase 2.