HawkEye 360 is a commercial satellite company that collects radio frequency data from space. They use this data to provide analytics for both government and commercial customers.
The company calls Virginia home. Since 2015, they’ve built a growing constellation of small satellites.
HawkEye 360 wants to make the world safer by collecting space-based RF data. Their satellite constellation detects and locates radio frequency signals all over the globe.
They aim to give organizations the knowledge they need for global safety efforts. The satellites pick up data that helps customers understand what’s happening down on Earth.
The company’s vision: “illuminating the unknown.” They focus on places where transparency is lacking and where people don’t really know what’s going on.
HawkEye 360 takes raw RF signals and, with artificial intelligence, turns them into structured data. This process helps create intelligence solutions for maritime tracking, defense, and emergency response.
Their satellite constellation offers a window into spectrum-based activities. The data covers everything from wide-area RF surveys to pinpointing the exact spot of a signal emitter.
HawkEye 360 got its start in 2015 with seed money from Allied Minds, a venture capital firm in Boston. The founders—Chris DeMay, Charles Clancy, John Serafini, and Robert McGwier—kicked things off.
In 2016, they began working with Deep Space Industries and the University of Toronto Institute to build their Pathfinder satellite cluster. That collaboration set the foundation for their first hardware.
By December 2018, HawkEye 360 had launched their first satellite constellation. That launch moved them from development into real-world data collection.
Each HawkEye microsatellite carries two main instruments. There’s a software-defined radio and an RF front-end module for signal processing.
By 2025, HawkEye 360 reached Series D funding status. They keep expanding both their satellite fleet and their analytics.
They’ve also rolled out Vessel Identification analytics to improve maritime transparency. That’s an upgrade to their RFGeo product line.
HawkEye 360’s main office sits in Herndon, Virginia. That puts them right in the heart of the Washington D.C. tech corridor.
Their Virginia headquarters houses the core operations and engineering teams. Being close to government customers gives them a real edge.
They serve U.S. and allied government clients around the world. Their satellite constellation offers global coverage for RF signal detection.
HawkEye 360 markets its services internationally but keeps its roots firmly American. They’re after customers in maritime security, environmental protection, and defense.
Their satellite network runs around the clock, collecting RF data even in remote places that ground systems can’t reach.
HawkEye 360 runs a satellite constellation built around clusters of three satellites flying in formation. They teamed up with Space Flight Laboratory to manufacture these microsatellites using the DEFIANT platform.
Each HawkEye 360 cluster has three microsatellites. These satellites fly in tight formation in low Earth orbit.
They work together to detect and geolocate radio frequency signals using triangulation.
The three-satellite design lets them pinpoint RF sources on Earth. When all three pick up the same signal, they calculate its location by comparing the time each one detected it.
Orbital Characteristics:
Cluster 12, for example, is the first to operate in a dawn/dusk orbit. That fills in coverage gaps at the poles and boosts revisit rates in high-latitude areas.
The dawn/dusk orbit gives them a leg up for signals intelligence. It widens their reach into regions that matter for defense and intelligence.
HawkEye 360’s constellation started with the Pathfinder mission in 2018. That three-satellite demo proved space-based RF detection works commercially.
The company originally planned for 18 satellites in six clusters. But the configuration keeps changing as market needs shift.
Key Milestones:
The constellation has grown past the original plan. HawkEye 360 keeps adding clusters to meet demand for signals intelligence.
Every new cluster launch bumps up their ability to deliver timely RF data. With more satellites, they can better monitor contested maritime zones and spot GPS interference.
Space Flight Laboratory manufactures HawkEye 360’s microsatellites using the DEFIANT platform. This partnership ensures steady satellite manufacturing and reliable performance.
SFL built the original Pathfinder cluster in 2018. Since then, they’ve produced satellites for clusters two through six.
Manufacturing Details:
The DEFIANT platform gives HawkEye 360 room to grow. SFL tweaks the design to add new features as the constellation expands.
This teamwork lets HawkEye 360 focus on RF tech while SFL handles the hardware. It’s a setup that supports rapid growth for commercial and defense customers.
HawkEye 360 relies on advanced software-defined radio systems and precise satellite platforms. They use these tools to detect and analyze radio frequency signals from space.
The company combines noise reduction techniques with specialized hardware to deliver reliable signals intelligence.
HawkEye 360’s satellites use software defined radio tech to capture multiple RF bands at once. This flexibility means they don’t need separate hardware for every frequency.
The latest clusters offer more bandwidth. So, the satellites can now collect signals across a wider range than before.
Multi-band signal capture is a big deal for their RF solutions. Each satellite processes several frequency bands at once, which makes data collection more efficient.
Their software-defined approach lets ground controllers adjust collection settings remotely. No need for physical changes on the satellites.
High-speed downlink transmitters now deliver data four times faster than older systems. That means intelligence data gets to the ground much quicker.
HawkEye 360 satellites fly in precise formations to geolocate signals accurately. Space Flight Laboratory provided the tech that keeps these satellites in exact positions.
Each cluster’s three satellites work together to triangulate RF sources. This setup relies on careful orbital mechanics and station-keeping.
The constellation uses small satellite platforms designed for signals intelligence. These platforms balance size with the power needs of their RF gear.
Each cluster builds on the last. Cluster 11 and newer ones include improvements based on earlier launches.
Their orbital positions give them global coverage. Satellites pass over different regions, offering regular revisit times for spots that matter.
Noise reduction technologies help HawkEye 360 satellites pick up weak signals from space. The tough electromagnetic environment up there means they need good filtering and processing.
Custom RF electronics cut down on interference from both inside and outside the satellite. These parts help separate real signals from background noise.
They use advanced algorithms to process raw data and classify different transmissions. With machine learning, they can tell one signal source from another and reduce false alarms.
Recent clusters have better payloads for collecting data. Upgrades include more sensitivity and sharper signal identification.
Thermal management systems keep the RF gear safe from temperature swings in orbit. Good thermal control keeps performance steady, no matter the conditions.
HawkEye 360’s satellites pick up radio signals from space and can pinpoint their locations on Earth with about 95% accuracy. They process RF data from several frequency bands using advanced algorithms to track everything from marine radios to GPS jammers.
HawkEye 360 flies satellites in formation to capture RF signals from both land and air sources. The satellites detect bursts of energy from RF emitters across land and sea.
Their constellation processes these signals with specialized algorithms. Each satellite in the formation records the same signal at a slightly different time, so they can figure out where the signal came from.
They process RF data in real time for military uses. Commercial customers get unclassified data that’s easy to share. The system spots patterns in RF activity so users can see when and where things happen.
The satellites detect both continuous and quick, bursty transmissions. They can pick up emergency beacons, push-to-talk radios, and marine radar signals. As the constellation grows, their processing power keeps improving.
The satellites monitor VHF, UHF, L-band, S-band, and X-band signals. VHF marine radios and emergency beacons are key targets for maritime operations.
UHF push-to-talk radios and flexible frequency ranges cover military and commercial comms. L-band tracks satellite mobile devices in remote areas. S-band and X-band radar detection helps with vessel tracking.
Primary Frequency Coverage:
Detecting GPS interference is a big deal for national security. The system can spot jamming attempts over huge areas. Flex frequency options let customers request monitoring of specific bands for targeted missions.
Geolocation algorithms use time difference of arrival to calculate where a signal came from. Three satellites working together can triangulate an RF emitter’s spot on Earth.
Each geolocation result includes a confidence ellipse showing 95% probability. Basically, users can trust the signal source is inside that marked area most of the time.
The algorithms take into account signal propagation and satellite positioning errors. They process each energy burst separately, so they stay accurate even with spotty signals. Multiple detections get combined for better precision.
Accuracy specs depend on signal strength, frequency, and where the satellites are when they detect the signal. The system outputs standard coordinates that fit right in with military and analytical tools.
HawkEye 360 turns raw RF signals into actionable intelligence using advanced data fusion and spectrum mapping. Their platform processes satellite-collected RF data to create detailed geospatial intelligence products for both defense and commercial needs.
HawkEye 360’s Mission Space platform stands out as the first commercial solution built just for RF geospatial intelligence analysis. It pulls together data from multiple satellite passes and RF signal detections, so you get these detailed activity maps that actually make sense.
The platform grabs signals from all kinds of emitters—ships at sea, planes in the sky, and ground communications too. Analysts can spot patterns and weird anomalies fast, whether they’re looking at a single day or across months, and no matter the region.
Data fusion capabilities include:
Mission Space cuts analysis time from hours down to minutes. The platform takes in RF data as it arrives and runs machine learning algorithms to spot real patterns.
The company boosts its RF analytics by mixing satellite data with other intelligence sources. This way, clients—government or commercial—get a much clearer picture of what’s happening.
HawkEye 360 works with partners like Leidos to merge RF intelligence with other data streams. By teaming up, they blend national security know-how with unique satellite-based RF detection.
Key integration methods:
Cross-checking with external data makes detection more accurate and cuts down on false alarms. The system matches up RF detections with known ship locations and flight paths.
HawkEye 360’s satellites map out RF activity over the oceans and along the coasts. Their SeaVision platform focuses on maritime domain awareness, helping partner nations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands keep an eye on their waters.
Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific awarded the company a $12.25 million contract for maritime RF data sharing. This system helps spot vessels that might be hiding by turning off identification systems.
Maritime detection capabilities:
Spectrum mapping shows who’s talking and what equipment they’re using in different places. The system also picks up GNSS interference—like GPS jamming and spoofing—that can threaten navigation safety.
Lately, the GNSS-I Detection product suite got an upgrade, offering wider coverage and sharper accuracy for finding interference sources. These tools help defense operations and keep civilian navigation systems safe from disruption.
HawkEye 360 delivers RF geospatial intelligence in three main service areas. They offer maritime tracking tools, spectrum analysis, and systems for spotting both authorized and unauthorized transmissions.
HawkEye 360’s maritime solutions track ship movements and behaviors worldwide. The system picks up AIS signals, radar, and communications from ships everywhere.
Their satellites can spot vessels that try to disappear by turning off their tracking. This helps catch illegal fishing, smuggling, and other suspicious activities on the water.
Key maritime features include:
The platform mixes RF data with machine learning to predict which vessels are risky. Government agencies and commercial customers use this to figure out which ships might be up to no good.
HawkEye 360 checks vessel characteristics and movement patterns to create risk scores. The system flags ships that act like known bad actors.
Their spectrum monitoring services map RF energy across regions and frequencies. Customers can see how radio spectrum gets used in specific places.
HawkEye 360’s RFIQ spectrum data gives detailed insights into RF activity. The system can scan wide areas or zero in on particular emitters.
Spectrum monitoring capabilities include:
Government agencies use these services to watch spectrum use in their areas. Commercial customers want to understand the RF environment for their operations.
The platform helps spot unauthorized transmissions that mess with licensed communications. This supports spectrum enforcement and management.
HawkEye 360’s detection systems pick up both authorized and unauthorized RF transmissions around the globe. The technology helps customers tell the difference between legit communications and possible threats.
Their satellites detect all sorts of signals—emergency beacons, satellite communications, radar systems, you name it. This wide coverage supports a bunch of security and safety applications.
Detection services cover:
Defense customers use these tools to spot threats and boost situational awareness. The system helps protect borders and monitor strategic areas.
Emergency teams use the technology to find distress signals from planes and ships. Fast detection and geolocation can make all the difference in rescue operations.
HawkEye 360’s RF data analytics play a big role in military operations and intelligence gathering. The company boosts national security by teaming up with defense leaders and plugging real-time data into military platforms.
Military forces count on HawkEye 360’s RF data to spot threats and track activities in tough areas. Their satellites monitor radio frequency emissions from ships, planes, and vehicles all over the world.
During the Talisman Sabre 2025 exercise, HawkEye 360’s RF data went straight into military platforms for the first time. This gave coalition forces real-time intel about RF activity in key regions.
Defense partners use the data for better threat detection and sharper geolocation. The tech is a lifesaver in GPS-denied environments where older tracking methods just don’t work.
Key military applications include:
Their GNSS interference detection helps military units keep working even when GPS gets jammed or spoofed. These tools give a new level of accuracy for spotting global positioning threats.
HawkEye 360 brought eight national security experts onto its 2025 Advisory Board. Names like Admiral Mike Gilday, former Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, and Rear Admiral Mike Studeman all joined.
Admiral Scott Swift now chairs the board, bringing decades of naval experience to guide the company’s RF data analytics strategy.
The advisory team has deep backgrounds—from the Pentagon to naval intelligence to special operations. These leaders held top posts at U.S. Pacific Fleet, Office of Naval Intelligence, and the National Security Council.
Current board members represent:
The board helps HawkEye 360 stay focused on supporting warfighters with advanced intelligence. These partnerships keep the company’s tech aligned with changing security needs.
HawkEye 360’s RF solutions reach far beyond government—they’re making a real difference for commercial sectors too. Their commercial satellite constellation lets telecom companies optimize network performance and deliver crucial emergency response support during disasters.
HawkEye 360’s RF detection gives telecom companies a level of visibility into spectrum usage and interference they’ve never had before. Their commercial satellites monitor RF signals across multiple bands, so telecom operators can spot unauthorized transmissions that mess up their networks.
Network Optimization Applications:
Telecom providers use HawkEye 360’s data to cut network downtime and boost service quality. The RF solutions help spot interference from illegal transmitters that can disrupt cell networks and satellite comms.
Their analytics let telecoms make smarter decisions about tower placement and spectrum allocation. That means lower infrastructure costs and better coverage, especially in areas that usually get ignored.
Emergency responders count on HawkEye 360’s RF monitoring to find distress signals and coordinate rescues during disasters. The commercial satellite constellation detects emergency beacons, maritime distress calls, and even faint communication attempts from remote spots.
Critical Emergency Capabilities:
RF solutions shine during hurricanes, earthquakes, and maritime disasters when regular communications go down. Emergency services can lock onto distress signals in minutes, not hours.
HawkEye 360’s data lets humanitarian groups figure out communication needs in disaster zones. That means faster deployment of emergency gear and smarter use of resources in a crisis.
HawkEye 360 runs with a streamlined leadership structure built for fast growth and operational efficiency. In February 2025, they made big organizational changes and promoted key execs to speed up the business.
John Serafini leads HawkEye 360 as CEO. With his vision, the company has become a global leader in signals intelligence and data analytics.
The executive team brings decades of experience in defense, intelligence, and tech. Chris Herndon serves as both COO and CIO, bringing over 20 years in government IT and having run White House IT operations.
Craig Searle is Chief Business Officer after serving as VP of Strategic Finance. He’s got 20 years in finance and strategy, plus four years on HawkEye 360’s board. Searle earned his MBA from Columbia.
Alex Fox leads international business as President. He’s spent 35 years in executive roles across engineering, operations, and business development in defense and intelligence.
HawkEye 360 shook up its leadership in February 2025 to boost operations. Janine Sweeney became Chief Human Resources Officer, focusing on workforce development and hiring.
Stephanie Widzinski moved up to Chief Accounting Officer, thanks to her work since the early days. She’s worked at Raytheon and has a strong background in financial management.
CEO Serafini calls this “the most experienced management team in the defense tech industry.” These moves align leadership with the company’s push into global RF geospatial intelligence.
The restructuring clarifies responsibilities but keeps things agile. Each exec brings specialized skills that help HawkEye 360 deliver advanced RF data insights to defense, intelligence, and commercial partners.
HawkEye 360 has grown its capabilities by acquiring RF technology companies and partnering with defense contractors and ground station operators. They bought Maxar Intelligence’s RF solutions business and brought in Aurora Insight’s spectrum monitoring tech, strengthening their satellite-based intelligence platform.
HawkEye 360 picked up Maxar Intelligence’s RF solutions business to ramp up its radio frequency data collection and analysis. The acquisition brought advanced RF processing algorithms and skilled staff into the fold.
The deal included Maxar’s analytics software and intellectual property. HawkEye 360 gained exclusive signal processing techniques that sharpen RF geolocation from space.
Key assets from the acquisition:
Bringing in Maxar’s team and tech lets HawkEye 360 process more RF data, faster. The company now runs Maxar’s algorithms on its satellite constellation, improving signal detection accuracy.
HawkEye 360 brought Aurora Insight’s spectrum monitoring tech into its RF data platform. Aurora Insight focuses on ground-based spectrum analysis and interference detection.
By combining space-based RF collection with terrestrial spectrum monitoring, HawkEye 360 gives customers a broader view of RF activity. This setup covers multiple domains and feels pretty comprehensive.
Aurora Insight’s tools add real-time spectrum analysis to HawkEye 360’s services. With this integration, users can spot RF interference and unauthorized transmissions much faster.
The platform serves both government and commercial users. Now, folks can access all that integrated RF data from satellites and ground sensors through just one interface.
HawkEye 360 teamed up with General Atomics Integrated Intelligence, bringing its RF data into the Optix intelligence platform. Thanks to this partnership, defense and intelligence users can tap into HawkEye 360’s RF analytics through GA-i3’s systems.
The company also joined the US Space Force Commercial Integration Cell. This move supports space domain awareness and gives the Space Force access to commercial RF data for tracking threats in orbit.
ATLAS Space Operations connected HawkEye 360’s services to ground stations in Australia and New Zealand. That partnership boosts HawkEye 360’s global ground network for satellite communications.
HawkEye 360 takes part in Talisman Sabre military exercises to show off machine-to-machine RF data integration. These exercises help prove the tech works for real-time military needs.
HawkEye 360 keeps moving its satellite constellation forward with new Block 3 architecture and a handful of strategic partnerships. The team wants to dive deeper into artificial intelligence while staying strong in defense and commercial markets.
HawkEye 360 launched its Cluster 12 satellites, which marks a pretty big leap in expanding the constellation. This group flies in a dawn/dusk sun-synchronous orbit, so monitoring in polar regions just got better.
Cluster 12 features the experimental Kestrel-0A satellite. That one’s a tech demo, testing out new stuff for future missions.
Starting with Cluster 14, HawkEye 360 plans to transition to Block 3 satellite architecture. The new design should boost the constellation’s performance beyond what’s possible today.
They’re also testing Ka-band downlink technology to ramp up data throughput. This means faster RF data and analytics will get from satellites to ground stations.
Right now, the constellation has 21 satellites in orbit. HawkEye 360 keeps adding clusters to improve global coverage and cut down revisit times for key areas.
Investing in artificial intelligence and data fusion is a big deal for them. These tools will help pull more value from the growing pile of RF data the satellites collect.
HawkEye 360 raised $68 million in Series D-1 funding to fuel its growth. BlackRock led the initial $58 million, and Lockheed Martin Ventures chipped in another $10 million.
The agreement with Lockheed Martin Corporation opens some new doors. Together, they’re working on end-to-end remote sensing solutions for both government and commercial clients.
This funding backs the development of new space systems for high-value defense missions. HawkEye 360 wants to meet the rising need for tactical RF intelligence from military and government customers.
Multi-intelligence orchestration is on their roadmap, aiming to blend RF data with other intelligence sources. This should give customers a more complete picture of what’s going on.
The company aims to grow in both government and commercial sectors. Defense stays a core focus, but civilian uses for RF monitoring are picking up, too.
HawkEye 360 calls itself the top commercial provider of RF geospatial intelligence. Their satellite constellation gives them a leg up in global coverage and how often they can collect data.
HawkEye 360 runs a constellation of 30 microsatellites that detect and pinpoint radio frequency signals from space. The company works with government agencies and commercial customers and keeps its headquarters in Herndon, Virginia.
HawkEye 360 offers space-based radio frequency detection and geolocation using its microsatellite constellation. The company tracks terrestrial and aerial RF emitters across frequencies from 70 MHz up to 18 GHz.
With these satellites, authorities can track maritime activity by following vessel communications and catching ships that turn off their automatic identification systems. This helps clamp down on illegal fishing and find vessels trying to stay hidden.
Telecom companies lean on HawkEye 360 to monitor spectrum usage and hunt down sources of RF interference. The satellites can zero in on unauthorized transmissions that mess with communication networks.
Government agencies use the constellation for search and rescue, quickly finding activated emergency beacons. The system provides accurate location data even when GPS fails or gets jammed.
HawkEye 360 flies its satellites in clusters of three, spaced 125 kilometers apart. This setup lets them triangulate RF signals using time-of-arrival and frequency-of-arrival methods.
Each satellite carries software-defined radios and RF front-end modules that process signals in real time. They keep their GPS receivers in sync for accurate multilateration.
Most geolocation satellites work solo and focus on optical or radar imaging. HawkEye 360, instead, targets RF emissions, which lets them pick up signals other satellites miss.
Their constellation orbits at 575 kilometers in a sun-synchronous path. This gives them global reach and keeps conditions good for RF signal detection.
HawkEye 360 makes money by selling RF geolocation data and analytics to government and commercial clients. They use a subscription model for ongoing monitoring services.
Government agencies form the backbone of their revenue, buying intelligence data for national security and maritime surveillance. These deals usually last for years and involve continuous monitoring.
Commercial customers pay for spectrum management and interference detection. Telecom companies buy data to spot network issues and improve operations.
Since 2015, the company has raised $411.7 million in funding. That cash helps grow the constellation and push new tech to meet market needs.
HawkEye 360 employs about 173 people in engineering, data analytics, and business development. They’re looking for folks with experience in aerospace engineering, signal processing, or satellite operations.
Engineering jobs need skills in RF systems, software, and satellite tech. Usually, you’ll need a degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or something similar.
Data analyst roles focus on making sense of RF signals from the satellites. You’ll need a background in math, computer science, or geospatial analysis.
Because the company works in defense and space manufacturing, many roles require security clearances. That means U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is a must for sensitive positions.
HawkEye 360 is still a private company and doesn’t trade on public stock markets. They’ve raised money through private rounds with institutional investors and venture capital.
Big names like Lockheed Martin Ventures and Silicon Valley Bank have invested, along with about 30 others. The most recent round was debt financing, not equity.
Private investors might get access to HawkEye 360 shares through secondary markets or private placements, but those usually require big minimums and accredited investor status.
The company hasn’t announced any plans for an IPO. Whether that changes depends on their future strategy for public market access.
HawkEye 360 calls Herndon, Virginia home for its main headquarters. You’ll find them at a few different spots, like 485 Springpark Place and 13873 Park Center Road.
Most of the company’s operations and engineering teams work out of these Virginia offices.
They’ve also set up shop at 196 Van Buren Street, Suite 450 in Herndon. That location really shows how much they’re invested in the Northern Virginia aerospace corridor.
This area gives them great access to government clients and industry partners in aerospace.
International partners help HawkEye 360 build and launch its satellites. The Space Flight Laboratory at the University of Toronto actually builds the NEMO satellite platforms for their constellation.
For launches, HawkEye 360 uses several sites. They rely on Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, and NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
These partnerships let them deploy satellites with a lot of flexibility.
