BlackSky Geospatial Solutions has been awarded a $16.4 million Air Force contract to develop a geospatial intelligence system.
Under the Air Force Research Laboratory contract, BlackSky will “design, develop, and evaluate a geospatial intelligence broker development platform feasibility demonstration model that contains components, modules, or services of this model in a cloud environment,” according to a Department of Defense contract announcement.
The work also includes software and technical reports. The contract is scheduled to be completed by August 2019.
As Artemis and Ares fly in Europe and the Pacific theater, the service is nearing a decision on what its future fixed-wing ISR capability will look like.
Industry can help the U.S. and its allies expand interoperable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. Integrating advanced capabilities into airborne sensor systems and other assets will create an integrated deterrence to counter regional threats.
It is one of several critical technologies that Heidi Shyu, the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, included in remarks at SOFIC.
During industry meetings this week, program managers will hear from companies about capabilities they're developing to address tactical ISR capability needs.
The Atlantic Council report urges Congress to improve its oversight of how the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community adopt commercial space services.