Lockheed Martin has collaborated with Allied Minds subsidiary HawkEye 360 to bring the latter’s radio frequency (RF) detection and mapping technology from low-Earth orbit to new markets.

HawkEye 360 is currently developing a constellation of small satellites and planning to deploy the same in low-Earth orbit at less than 600km from the Earth’s surface, to identify, locate and analyse RF signals worldwide.   

Once approved, Lockheed Martin and HawkEye 360 will use the space-based RF data and analytics system in various new missions.

“Their relationships across multiple customer domains will be invaluable to help accelerate the commercial use of HawkEye 360’s RF monitoring data and analytics.”

Allied Minds chief executive officer Chris Silva said: “We are delighted that Lockheed Martin has chosen to collaborate with us as we build one of the world’s first privately funded global RF signal monitoring systems.

“Their relationships across multiple customer domains will be invaluable to help accelerate the commercial use of HawkEye 360’s RF monitoring data and analytics.”

When operational, HawkEye 360’s satellite constellation will enable various commercial applications by allowing government and corporate customers to monitor transportation networks across air, land and sea.

The system is designed to monitor RF spectrum usage to recognise areas of interference by government regulators, telecommunications companies and satellite broadcasters, as well as help detect and locate activated emergency beacons.

It also aims to enhance response times, which are vital in serious situations.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems strategy vice-president Dave Markham said: “Combining Lockheed Martin’s expertise in satellite systems with HawkEye 360’s approach to space-based radio frequency detection offers an innovative solution to some of the big challenges facing our shared customer base.”

Lockheed Martin has so far built more than 800 satellites and 310 payloads.

The company operates a RF Payload Center of Excellence, which collocates RF development, assembly and test for various spacecraft types, from cubesats to human spaceflight.