BAE Systems has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s Hanwha Systems to jointly develop an advanced multi-sensor satellite system, the former announced on 10 June.
According to BAE Systems, the collaboration will explore the integration of its ultra-wideband radio frequency (RF) sensor technology with Hanwha Systems’ small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite capabilities, in hopes of creating a space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) solution for the global satellite market.
“Bringing together our pedigree in space with Hanwha Systems’ expertise in SAR satellites represents an exciting opportunity to progress ISR capabilities from space for international markets,” said Space Director, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence Rachael Hoyle.
“Small SAR satellites are becoming increasingly recognised as invaluable resources for surveillance and reconnaissance,” noted Head of the Space Division at Hanwha Systems Sung-Chan Song.
BAE Systems noted that the multi-sensor satellite system will combine data from both RF and SAR satellites and exploit machine learning to deliver precise, timely, and high-resolution intelligence. The jointly developed system is expected to significantly enhance situational awareness fusing different types of satellite data and offer a compelling space-based surveillance asset.
Hanwha Systems is also the contractor that supplied the SAR satellite for the 425 Project, South Korea’s first military reconnaissance satellite program. The company earlier launched an indigenously developed 1 m-resolution small SAR satellite in December 2023. The company is also involved in the country’s first low Earth orbit (LEO) communications satellite development project.
by Jr Ng
