28 May 24. Defense Innovation Unit awards funding for sea-based launch pad. The Spaceport Company won a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit to further development of its sea-based launch pad. (The Spaceport Company)
The Defense Innovation Unit selected The Spaceport Company to demonstrate the ability to use a sea-based launch platform to quickly send cargo or satellites to orbit.
The company, headquartered in Woodbridge, Virginia, builds floating launch pads that could allow commercial companies or the Defense Department to fly payloads offshore. The concept is particularly relevant amid unprecedented launch rates, which are increasingly causing congestion at U.S. ranges.
“A sea-based launch platform is a strategically significant capability that increases equatorial launch access while enabling responsive launch coordination and avoiding high-traffic airspace,” DIU said in a May 28 statement announcing the deal.
The award is part of a DIU effort called Novel Responsive Space Delivery, which aims to prototype commercial solutions that support responsive and precise space launch capabilities. That could include using a rocket to send cargo from one point on Earth to another, between two satellites in orbit, or from one location in space to another.
“Responsive and reliable logistics and sustainment lines of communication are essential to the Warfighter,” Austin Baker, Deputy Portfolio Director for DIU’s space portfolio, said in the statement. “By prototyping commercial solutions for the delivery of cargo and other supplies to, through and from space, we will equip the Joint Force with new methods for sustainment that directly address this need and provide a unique competitive advantage.”
DIU first solicited bids for the effort in June 2023, and Baker said the project received a strong response from industry. The award to The Spaceport Company is the first of multiple announcements.
The firm demonstrated its sea-based launch concept in May 2023, flying four payloads from a mobile pad floating in the Gulf of Mexico. Last year, DIU’s National Security Innovation Capital program awarded the firm a separate $1.5m contract to further the development of its launch infrastructure.
DIU’s work will feed into several ongoing Defense Department efforts to explore the use of commercial capabilities to quickly deliver cargo around the globe and to respond to real-time threats in space through dynamic launch and in-orbit operations. That includes the Space Force’s Rocket Cargo effort as well as its Tactically Responsive Space program.
(Source: C4ISR & Networks)
28 May 24. Hanwha Phasor announces strategic partnership with Kontron. International satellite communications company Hanwha Phasor, today announced a new strategic partnership with Kontron, a German-based multinational company which designs and manufactures embedded computer modules, boards and systems. The agreement, expected to be worth tens of ms of GBP over the next 10 years, will see Kontron provide a key power component to ensure the viability of the Phasor A7700 user terminal, an Active Electronically Steered Antenna for satellite communications designed for the commercial and military aerospace market.
Kontron has been contracted to design and develop a KPSU (Ku/Ka-band Power Supply Unit), compatible with ARINC 792, to power Hanwha Phasor’s multi-orbit active electronically steered antenna – the Phasor A7700. The primary purpose of the KPSU is to convert the aircraft’s 3-phase AC power supply to a steady, regulated DC-supply for the Antenna system. The KPSU also provides hold-up functionality to allow uninterrupted antenna operation in the event of a short brown-out to the main aircraft supply bus.
The design and development of the KPSU is a vital step for the Phasor A7700 which is expected to come to market in late 2025. With the KPSU development underway, it allows Hanwha Phasor to continue into the final airworthiness accreditation with authorities in the EU and US.
Kontron has experienced remarkable growth over the last 10 years, consistently expanding its presence as a leading multinational technology group. Its solutions span a wide range of applications and markets, including ground station telecommunications, 5G mobile private networks and aviation. Leveraging its expertise in smart IoT solutions, Kontron has solidified its position in the aviation industry delivering In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFE&C) solutions to airlines worldwide. The company is listed on the SDAX® of the German Stock Exchange and boasts a diverse clientele of over 3,000 customers globally. With operations spanning across 32 countries, Kontron’s long-standing customer relationships underscore its commitment to innovation and excellence in aviation technology.
The announcement follows the business’ recent expansion to its strategic partnership with Lufthansa Technik. The agreement will see the Phasor A7700 go through its European Aviation Safety Agency Supplementary Type Certificates, followed by a similar process for the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States.
Dominic Philpott, Chief Operating Officer at Hanwha Phasor stated: “This partnership is another exciting progression for Hanwha Phasor. With Kontron, we are now able to provide a steady power source to the Phasor A7700 and guarantee continued work even if the electrical supply is cut to the user terminal. We look forward to working with Kontron to enhance our offering to customers and progress to the Phasor A7700’s final flight tests.”
Jason Larocque, CEO of Kontron Canada said: “Our alliance with Hanwha Phasor on this initial KPSU solution embodies innovation, reliability, and a shared commitment in revolutionizing the future of connectivity in flight, on land and at sea. We see this as a first step towards supporting Hanwha across multiple markets and deepening our partnership to support the ever increasing number of opportunities for connectivity. We are honoured to partner with Hanwha Phasor to foster a new era of multi-orbit connectivity and unparalleled performance. “
28 May 24. Hanwha Phasor, a satellite communications company, and Lufthansa Technik, one of the leading providers of technical aircraft services in the world, are expanding their strategic partnership, announced today. The agreement, which was signed in February 2024, will see Lufthansa Technik design, build and supply hundreds of fuselage-mounted Satellite Communications radomes, the aerodynamic cover for Hanwha Phasor’s Phasor A7700 – an Active Electronically Steered Antenna designed for commercial and military aviation. Under the new terms, Lufthansa Technik will also start the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) for the Phasor A7700.
The STC is the final hurdle that the business must clear in order to release the Phasor A7700 to the market. The testing is an essential step for Hanwha Phasor to undertake, proving the Phasor A7700 for use with commercial aviation providers.
Following the initial EASA testing, Lufthansa Technik will support Hanwha Phasor with its’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure that the Phasor A7700 is compliant for use in the United States. The EASA STC is expected to be completed and released in Europe Q3 2025, and FAA testing validation is expected to be complete and released in the United States in Q4 2025.
The extension of the partnership between the two businesses is a clear vote of confidence in the Phasor A7700, and the benefits that it will be able to provide to commercial aviation.
Lufthansa Technik’s strong track record in the aerospace sector and its triple certification as a maintenance, design and production organization will provide Hanwha Phasor with the required expertise to ensure a seamless application of its radome-covered antenna solution to commercial aircraft fleets around the world.
The extension to the partnership between the two businesses indicates another clear progression for Hanwha Phasor and its product portfolio as it gears up for production. The announcement comes as the business exhibits at Aircraft Interiors Expo off the back of a raft of key announcements including the launch of its Land Product, the Phasor L3300B and recent deals with OneWeb.
Dominic Philpott, Chief Operating Officer at Hanwha Phasor stated: “Our partnership with Lufthansa Technik has already been hugely beneficial for Hanwha Phasor, helping to provide the radome for our user terminal. This extension is a welcomed addition that will forge even deeper relationships between the two businesses and allows us to cross the final hurdle before releasing the Phasor A7700 to the market.”
Oliver Rodrigues, Regional Sales Director Americas & Western Europe at Lufthansa Technik said: “As a leading integrator and manufacturer for connectivity solutions in the commercial aerospace industry, we are delighted to further expand and strengthen our partnership with Hanwha Phasor with this step. We are looking forward to working together on our aim to deliver advanced in-flight connectivity for the commercial aviation.”
24 May 24. IQ spacecom and RBC Signals join forces to deliver Go.BIC, the first, dynamic, Global On-Demand, Bi-directional Intersatellite Connection Service, aimed at supporting inter-satellite connections for LEO operators — connectivity for the service will be powered by Viasat’s global, L-band satellite network.
RBC Signals, a pioneering provider of satellite data communication solutions with a vast ground station network, is partnering with IQ spacecom, a product branch of the German IQ Technologies for Earth and Space GmbH, known for its more than 15 years of experience in broadband data communication for small satellites. Together, the companies have launched Go.BIC, a highly flexible service set to support inter-satellite connections for LEO satellites.
Go.BIC will use dynamic, on-demand capacity from Viasat’s global L-band network of GEO satellites. This first of a kind service ensures real-time allocation of L-band capacity on a global scale, specifically tailored to meet the needs of LEO operators.
The service complements existing ground station networks to extend coverage to previously unconnected regions like remote oceans, bridging communication gaps for satellite operators worldwide and making their satellites reachable at any point of time. This enhances operational efficiency and offers cost-effective telemetry and telecommand options, empowering LEO satellite operators with improved flexibility and control over their missions.
Designed to cater to time-sensitive space applications, Go.BIC facilitates on-demand communication with LEO satellites without waiting for ground station passes. Serving scientific missions, university projects, satellite manufacturers and operators, Go.BIC can facilitate a variety of use cases including satellite tasking (TM/TC), scheduled data transmission, natural disaster monitoring, real-time satellite maneuvering, and backup communications.
XLink-L SDR platform and its L-band patch antennas onboard the LEO satellite, combined with RBC Signals’ ground station infrastructure and Spectrum Trading Orchestration and Resource Management (STORM) platform.
In January, IQ spacecom, RBC Signals and Viasat successfully completed Over-the-Air tests: a pivotal milestone in validating the robustness and reliability of this solution. This lays the foundation for widespread adoption and deployment.
The next phase includes an In-Orbit Demonstration mission with the XLink-L platform that is slated for later in 2024.
Dr. Kurt Winter, CEO of IQ Technologies, said, “We firmly believe that this solution represents a significant step forward in advancing satellite communication capabilities and will meet the evolving demands of the global market.”
Ron Faith, CEO of RBC Signals, said, “This collaboration represents a milestone in small satellite communications. By combining both our industry expertise with Viasat’s L-band network, we will significantly enhance the capabilities of the industry.”
Andy Kessler, Vice President, Viasat Enterprise and Land Mobile, said “Our connectivity can help operators work more safely, sustainably, efficiently, and with assured security. It’s exciting to see innovative partners like IQ spacecom and RBC Signals bringing that reliable connectivity to every domain – including now Low Earth Orbit.”
IQ Technologies for Earth and Space GmbH (former IQ wireless GmbH), headquartered in Berlin, Germany, is a well-established business for more than 20 years with two main innovative business units: IQ FireWatch and IQ spacecom. IQ FireWatch provides a terrestrial early detection system of fires in forests, outdoor industrial facilities, and wildland-urban interfaces.
IQ spacecom comprises high-performance radio communication solutions providing flexible and highly efficient broadband data communication for small satellites, such as CubeSats. The equipment has been qualified for several years of operation in LEO and is used for scientific missions, Earth observation, remote sensing and communication solutions. Outstanding hardware and software platforms enable a fast, flexible and reliable adaptation to customer-specific requirements. More than 50 employees are constantly developing the products and optimizing them to meet the needs of the customers, in order to be able to provide solutions for complex requirements of the future. The technical innovations of IQ Technologies for Earth and Space GmbH are researched, developed, manufactured, and tested at the headquarters in Berlin.
RBC Signals is an innovative provider of global satellite data communication products and solutions. They offer secure space communication solutions in every major frequency band, utilizing a worldwide network of both company-owned and partner-owned systems. RBC Signals delivers dynamic solutions offering affordability, flexibility, and resiliency. Their diverse products and services enable them to be a complete end-to-end solution provider for every organization that needs best-in-class multi-network solutions. (Source: Satnews)
25 May 24. AAC Clyde Space + partners create hub for laser comms in the Netherlands. AAC Clyde Space and the company’s partners are creating a hub for laser satellite communications in the Netherlands, supported by agreements with Dutch TNO and FSO Instruments. The agreement marks all three parties’ commitment to build up a long-term partnership and aims to establish a European ecosystem for laser satellite communication based in the Netherlands. This news follows the earlier announcement of the parties forming a consortium to develop the next generation of laser communication terminals for small satellites, link to press release.
In this latest project, AAC Clyde Space partners is set to deliver a next-generation compact, low-cost, laser system capable of transmitting data from space at a speed of up to 10 Gbps to enable space-to-ground communication between small satellites and optical ground stations. This is several times faster than current laser communication systems, and is far outpacing the radio frequencies in use today.
AAC Clyde Space has entered into a licensing agreement with TNO which grants AAC Clyde Space the right to use TNO’s cutting-edge laser communication terminal technology. Measuring 10 x 10 x 10 cm the terminal is ideally suited for small satellites. The group has also entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with FSO Instruments regarding joint support in the development of a manufacturing and marketing. FSO will provide additional optical technology to the project. AAC’s subsidiary in the Netherlands, AAC Hyperion, will provide optical communications for onboard electronics, drivers and software to the laser system.
Laser communications is poised to play a crucial role in the next phase of space advancement, driven by the increasing demand for global connectivity and the growing volume of data generated in space. The technology enable 100 to 1000 times more data transmitted to Earth than current radio frequency systems. Not only is it faster, laser communications also offer a more secure option.
“Advances in high data volume payloads, such as for Earth Observation, have highlighted the need for radically improved downlink capability for smaller satellites. Laser communication is ideal to take on this complex challenge. This partnership places us in an ideal position to meet this rapidly emerging demand,” said AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes.
“This new collaboration underscores TNO’s dedication to accelerate the transfer of our technology, fostering the growth of optical satellite communication capabilities in the Netherlands and bolstering a robust network within Europe and NATO,” said Kees Buijsrogge, Director TNO Space. (Source: Satnews)
24 May 24. Celestia TTi brings GaN based SSPAs in DBS band to broadcast SATCOM. By using advanced GaN technology, Celestia TTi is able to provide powerful, flexible and durable SSPAs that maximise linear power and are capable of operating seamlessly 24/7 in the most demanding environmental conditions. They also have a lifespan that far exceeds that of more traditional solutions on the market.
Simple to operate and maintain, Celestia TTi’s SSPA and BUC DBS product family of 200W, 300W and 550W models can deliver up to 54.8 dBm/57.4dBm/52dBm at P LINEAR from a highly compact footprint.
The company’s 200W SSPA/BUC delivers up to 52dBm at P LINEAR from a robust, ultra-compact unit. Lightweight and with a small footprint, it offers high output power and outstanding performance at an extremely competitive price when the amplifier has to be located really close to the antenna, either at the antenna hub or arm. The 300W and 550W models simply offer exceptional performance combined with extremely high output power.
Celestia TTi’s GaN high power SSPAs offer a number of other benefits, including multi-carrier uplinks, with no limit in the number of carriers and separation of frequency among them, and less back off than older technologies such as TWTs.
The combination in phase of individual SSPA stand-alone modules allows outstanding output to be achieved for the entire product family of 1kW, 2kW and 3.5kW output powers. Soft-fail redundancy allows the system to operate even when an individual SSPA module fails, whilst hot swappable SSPA modules and field removable power supplies guarantee reduced maintenance and repair costs with minimal operational disruption.
The range also offers significant savings in operational costs, for instance by lowering electricity usage by up to 50% from multi-carrier high-power uplinks, and in capital investment by reducing the number of antennas and associated footprint required.
In addition to DBS band products, Celestia TTi also supplies a wide range of cost-effective SSPA solutions from a few watts up to kWs at a variety of frequency bands including C, X, Ku, K, Ka and Q/V bands.
“This new generation of super high power DBS band SSPAs based on GaN technology for broadcast and SATCOM is one of a kind on the market, offering a multitude of benefits for operators,” said Óscar Gago, Business Developer at Celestia TTi. “Exceptional performance, combined with reliability and a keen eye on cost reduction, make our SSPA and BUC range a very attractive and competitive solution for broadcast in DBS band. With superior functionality and robust operation even in the most challenging settings, our products are the ultimate technology choice, giving satellite broadcasters and teleport operators all the power they need.”” (Source: Satnews)
23 May 24. Team BlueHalo demos integrated backend mission services for USSF’s SCAR program. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS) revealed that the firm’s fully virtualized satellite communications (SATCOM) ground system, OpenSpace®, was employed as part of BlueHalo’s milestone demonstration for the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (SCAR) program.
BlueHalo, the prime contractor for the SCAR program, successfully demonstrated the integrated backend mission services to USSF Guardian operators at the 2024 Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
BADGER’s digital interfaces combined with its multi-band, multi-beam, and multi-kinematic operations enable support of multiple mission areas simultaneously, a game-changing advantage for today’s warfighter.
During the demonstration, Guardians received an operator orientation for the SCAR system interface, including the system scheduler and backend mission processor. Kratos’ OpenSpace Platform is an important piece of the backend system which will pair with BlueHalo’s BADGER adaptive phased array product to provide multi-beam, multi-orbit mission operations.
Kratos’ OpenSpace Platform is a fully software-defined and orchestrated satellite ground system, enabling scalable deployments within an elastic, cloud-agnostic, virtualized environment built upon widely accepted industry standards and a containerized architecture. With OpenSpace, Guardians can instantiate new services in minutes instead of the weeks, or even months, commonly required with traditional hardware-based ground systems.
BlueHalo’s $1.4bn SCAR program was announced by the USSF Space RCO in May of 2022 to significantly increase satellite control capacity and support their dynamic missions going forward. The program covers initial design through full-rate production–delivering a fleet of transportable, ground-based phased-array antennas and accompanying ground electronics and software to provide robust, flexible command and control capabilities for USSF satellites.
“The demonstration at the Space Symposium showed vividly how the SCAR Program is leading in the digital transformation of satellite ground systems to become a more dynamic and resilient part of space domain operations,” said Phil Carrai, President of Kratos’ Space, Training & Cyber Division. “With OpenSpace and Bluehalo’s BADGER technology, Guardians will be able to rely upon an agile network infrastructure from the gateway to the edge and all points in between.”
“BlueHalo has checked off another milestone for the SCAR program–not only demonstrating the system’s backend mission services and user interface but, most importantly, collecting valuable insight from Guardian operators who will rely on this system for critical space operations,” said Mary Clum, BlueHalo Executive Vice President and Sector President of Labs. “With the strong partnerships we have forged with the Space Rapid Capabilities Office and our partners like Kratos, BlueHalo is proud to deliver innovations that will define our national security capabilities for decades to come.” (Source: Satnews)
21 May 24. Bracer Secure Iridium Satellite Push-to-Talk (PTT) and tracking system has now been upgraded to offer a Satellite Telephone and dial up data capability in the same device. This feature has been implemented to enhance Bracer’s applicability to Communications PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) Plans.
Bracer is powered by the Iridium PTT service. To enable coverage areas an end user is required to set up Talkgroup regions using the Iridium Command Centre web based application. Areas or Polygon’s can be set up or changed by the end user either as a single area of coverage or multiple points of presence (up to 10 areas) across the globe. Talkgroup sizes range in five increments from 100,000 sq km to 2.5m sq km. This approach to setting up coverage gives an end user incredible flexibility to manipulate the network to meet changing operational needs within a matter of seconds. However, if a user moves out of the pre-defined coverage area they will lose PTT communications and tracking and receive an ‘Out of Coverage Area’ message on the screen of the handset.
Satellite telephone and dial up data capability: As the Iridium Telephony service is truly global roaming, the Bracer handset can now communicate from anywhere. In the scenario above, if a user moves out of the PTT Polygon area they can now simply switch the handset from PTT mode to Telephony mode and make a call to a HQ or alternative location where access can be gained to the web based Iridium PTT Command Centre account. Here the end user can articulate where they need coverage setting up, which can then be done in a few seconds, enabling the end user to return to the PTT service and a fully secure voice and tracking capability.
PACE: When viewing this uplift in capability from a PACE perspective. Satellite phones have routinely been used by military organisations across the world to support their communication plans. By combining satellite telephony into the Bracer system means that the users have less expense with purchasing another piece of equipment to meet a need and it also reduces the weight and space taken up by additional items. There is an argument that one shouldn’t put all the eggs in one basket. However, an Iridium telephony SIM card can be used in any Bracer device and is not locked to a specific handset. This means that even if a Bracer handset becomes unserviceable the SIM card can be dynamically swapped to another Bracer handset. The main fact is that the Iridium Telephony (Voice) Service is a different service to the PTT. This means that if there is a service level issue then users can communicate using a different service.
Accessing the Telephony Function: Access to the telephony function is controlled through the issue of a SIM Card. Therefore, if an organisation only wants commanders or specific personnel to have this capability, then they only issue the SIMs to those individuals who are authorised.
What are the benefits to the user?: Fundamentally satellite telephony has been introduced for multiple reasons, for both emergency and routine needs. One of which is to provide the user with the ability to communicate with Public Service Telephone Networks (PSTN), GSM and other satellite phone networks. Whether this be between the user and its organisation, or with a different organisation that sits outside the Bracer or Iridium PTT network, it provides a level of interoperability.
Bracer brings reliable PACE communications to organisational deployment plans. Providing secure end to end encrypted (FIPS 140-2 Level 3) PTT voice and position reporting, standard Iridium PTT service, standard Iridium satellite telephony or standard Iridium dial up data services from which to maintain vital links. The system is used operationally around the globe by multiple nations and has transformed PACE plans for those that employ it and rely on it! (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
24 May 24. SpaceX’s Starlink recently officially announced their high-speed internet constellation is now connecting more than 3m people with high-speed internet across nearly 100 countries, territories, and many other markets. Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations offer real-time network services to people in extreme environments and areas with underdeveloped infrastructure. As LEO satellite deployments surge globally, commercial aerospace enterprises are becoming key players.
In China, Geespace, a commercial aerospace company under Geely, is constructing and operating Geely Future Mobility Constellation. This constellation has completed the deployment of two orbital planes. The third plane is set to launch in the second half of this year, marking the start of global application services. The fourth plane will feature direct-to-cell satellite communication payloads, serving many existing mobile phones. Geespace plans to complete the first phase of the constellation with 72 satellites within two years, providing global real-time data communication services.
Iridium achieved $203.9m in total revenue and $19.7m in net income in the first quarter of 2024. The development history of Iridium highlights two critical challenges in the LEO satellite industry: reducing construction costs and finding a successful business model.
Geespace addresses these challenges in three steps:
- Satellite Manufacturing: Geespace leverages Geely’s automated assembly technology and mass production management model to create an intelligent, flexible satellite production line. This shortens the satellite’s assembly, integration and test (AIT) cycle and reduces production costs by 45%, with an annual production capacity of 500 satellites.
- Satellite Application: Geespace achieved large-scale applications of satellite communication and satellite-based high-precision positioning in 2023. Several Geely models, including Zeekr and Geely Galaxy, are equipped with Geespace’s two-way satellite communication functions.
- Business Models: Providing global commercial services has become the mainstream trend among companies like SpaceX, Iridium, and Geespace.
In Southeast Asia, Geespace signed an agreement with Malaysian telecom operator Altel to accelerate smart port and smart agriculture solutions. In the Middle East, Geespace partnered with Omani satellite communication company Azyan Telecom to promote the deployment of Geely Future Mobility Constellation’s services, including direct-to-cell, in the Middle East and Africa.
With successful precedents like Iridium and SpaceX, Geespace’s global expansion is not just strategic but also poised to bring substantial commercial value. (Source: PR Newswire)
24 May 24. Ubotica Technologies, the leader in SPACE:AI, has been selected by the European Commission as a key participant in the ARCHYTAS project, a groundbreaking initiative to develop cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) accelerators for defence applications. Funded by the European Defence Fund, ARCHYTAS brings together leading technology firms and research institutions to advance AI capabilities through innovative hardware and software solutions.
SPACE:AI for Enhanced Defence
Ubotica’s SPACE:AI technology, a revolutionary platform that brings AI processing directly to Earth Observation satellites, will play a central role in the project. By analysing data in orbit, SPACE:AI enables faster threat detection, classification, and response times for defence applications. This eliminates the need to transmit massive amounts of data to Earth, improving efficiency and mission effectiveness.
ARCHYTAS: Pioneering AI Advancements
Funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF), ARCHYTAS aims to revolutionise AI for defence by developing faster, more energy-efficient, and cost-effective AI solutions tailored to meet the unique challenges of defence applications. By harnessing novel technologies, ARCHYTAS will enhance the capabilities of AI accelerators, enabling more effective defence operations.
The EDF, a key initiative of the European Union, bolsters Europe’s defence capabilities by funding collaborative research and development projects. It fosters innovation and cooperation across member states, companies, and research institutions to develop cutting-edge defence technologies. By supporting projects from research to final products, the EDF aims to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy and resilience in an increasingly complex security landscape.
The ARCHYTAS project aims to revolutionise AI for defence through:
Novel Technologies: Exploring cutting-edge device and package-level advancements, such as optoelectronic-based accelerators and neuromorphic devices.
Energy Efficiency: Prioritising solutions that minimise energy consumption, a critical factor in defence operations.
Speed and Performance: Developing accelerators capable of significantly faster processing for rapid decision- making in critical situations.
Cost-Effectiveness: Delivering high-performance AI solutions that are affordable and accessible.
“We are delighted to receive our first grant from the European Defence Fund,” said Fintan Buckley, Ubotica CEO. “SPACE:AI can be a critical tool in defence, identifying risks in real-time and ensuring rapid response capabilities. This support from the EDF enables us to push the boundaries of AI technology and contribute significantly to Europe’s defence capabilities.”