Sweden allocates $1.6B to build territorial air defense capability, $140M for space
The decision reflects a shift in how Sweden’s military looks at air defense.
Germany awards ICEYE, Rheinmetall almost $2B for new SAR satellite network
For ICEYE, the German deal is the latest in a handful of high-profile sales to European militaries as the continent moves out on a collective effort to establish "strategic autonomy" in from the United States in the space domain.
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Turning R&D into reality to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield
Knowing when to build on commercial systems and when to develop something new can be the difference between parity and information dominance.
NRO extends contracts for 4 providers, readies new acquisition approach
NRO Deputy Director Maj. Gen. Christopher Povak said that the spysat agency soon will begin using a new commercial contract vehicle with a five-year "rolling" window for bids.
‘Hell of a body blow:’ Ukraine shift may stir market headwinds for US SAR-sat operators
"Going back to pre-Ukraine supplemental procurement levels would see the USG buying only a small fraction of the US commercial SAR capacity available; hardly enough to support combat operations or sustain a healthy US industrial base," said David Gauthier.
And then there were 3: NRO extends contracts for radar imagery to Capella, ICEYE, Umbra
The new Stage III contracts are expected by industry officials to be the last of the short term, relatively small dollar awards under the SCC BAA — with senior NRO officials pushing to create a longer term program of record in the fiscal 2026 budget.
German MoD picks up tab for ICEYE-Rheinmetall SAR-sat data sales to Ukraine
"The collaboration includes dedicated satellite capacity and constellation access, which allows the capacity of the entire ICEYE satellite fleet to be utilized," according to a Rheinmetall press release.
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Data overload threatens decisionmakers as autonomy expands
Reducing cognitive overload on warfighters while improving “time to trust” for autonomous systems is a matter of design.
US SAR satellite imagery firms say draft ITAR changes still too restrictive
"[W]e won't be able to sell the premium technology, which means we'll be out competed by [Finland's] ICEYE and other competitors in the global market," Umbra's Jason Mallare told Breaking Defense.
Polish defense firms ink deals for new satellite reconnaissance capability
"Acquiring and processing satellite imaging data in real time can provide an advantage on the modern battlefield," said Krzysztof Trofiniak, PGZ President of the Management Board.
ICEYE to supply Ukraine with SAR satellite imagery via Ukrainian foundation
“This agreement is a significant step in responding to the Government of Ukraine’s urgent request for critical earth observation data and it will greatly benefit our Armed Forces," said Serhiy Prytula, whose eponymous foundation crowdsources kit for the Ukrainian military.
House lawmakers urge spy satellite agency to beef up commercial SAR acquisition
The markup also calls for a comprehensive report on how DoD plans to leverage ISR data from commercial radio frequency (RF) satellites, noting that lawmakers have been "encouraged" by the successful use of RF geolocation in exercises, including by European Command.
The state of play in military space
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Eyeing DoD and IC work, ICEYE boosts ‘parallel’ US-only radar-sat constellation
ICEYE currently is planning to launch another five satellites this year, Jerry Welsh, CEO of the Finnish firm's US arm, told Breaking Defense. But he did not provide a breakout of those to be built in Finland vice the US.
After Ukraine success, NRO says electro-optical imagery contracts due this summer
Payam Banazadeh, CEO of Capella Space, told Breaking Defense that the Ukraine war has been a "critical place for the industry to show itself," but NRO says it isn't accelerating the SAR acquisition process.
US space leaders warn sat operators to beware likely Russian interference
"We've been talking about the fact that space is contested, and we're probably right in the middle now of our first space fight," said Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein.
ICEYE to add 10 SAR satellites, thanks in part to BAE Systems investment
Additional satellites will help ICEYE reach its goal of imaging the same spot on Earth every eight hours, ICEYE CEO and cofounder Rafal Modrzewski told Breaking Defense.