Hawkeye 360, Leidos Partner to Advance Ground Target Observation Data Analytics

Defense company Leidos and space-based radio frequency geolocation startup Hawkeye 360 announced a partnership founded on the pursuit of analytics. As part of the deal, the Virginia-headquartered defense firm has invested $5 million to help grow the startup’s business in order to keep pace with rising demand, Breaking Defense reported Friday.

Under the agreement, Leidos will have access to Hawkeye 360’s commercial RF data archive. Beyond that, however, both companies will collaboratively develop high-impact analysis by applying traditional and cognitive algorithmic techniques to a data repository, according to a senior Hawkeye executive.

Alex Fox, Hawkeye 360’s executive vice president for global growth and a member of the Potomac Officers Club, said Leidos’ investment will contribute to the growth of his company’s constellation and advanced analytics as it continues to “rapidly scale business to meet increasing global client demands for commercial RF products and services.”

For its part, Leidos said that the two companies will “share information and combine efforts to achieve transformational growth” in data and analytical services. Leidos’ investment raises Hawkeye 360’s total amount of Series D funding, typically the last round of private investment before a startup goes public, to $150 million, Breaking Defense further reported.

Hawkeye 360 said that its constellation pinpoints ground targets, including tanks on the move, using RF emissions. The network detects, characterizes and precisely geolocates these RF signals from a broad range of emitters, including VHF marine radios, UHF push-to-talk radios, maritime and land-based radar systems, L-band satellite devices and emergency beacons, it was further explained.

Meanwhile, Leidos continues to expand its exposure in the various subsectors of the defense industry. The company generated annual revenues of approximately $12.3 billion for the fiscal year 2020, it was also reported.