BlackSky Technology Inc. has won a series of U.S. research and development contracts to develop and deploy Gen-3 AI for real-time, space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
“BlackSky continues to lead the commercial space-based intelligence industry by deploying proprietary, high-performance AI detection and identification algorithms directly into our customer’s classified mission environment,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “Continued U.S. investments across BlackSky’s advanced, purpose-built space-based AI solutions reflect strong alignment between our technical roadmap and the nation’s current and future operational needs.”
BlackSky’s commercial AI capabilities add machine speed to customers’ space-based intelligence decision loop, compressing time and improving the accuracy of strategic and tactical assessments during live operations, he added.
Under one contract, BlackSky will use AI-enabled object detection and identification to advance automated target recognition within a classified workflow. The company will also continue developing AI-enabled battle damage detection as part of its Gen-3 offering. The analytics help decision-makers assess physical and functional damage during military operations.
The Gen-3 constellation provides 35-centimeter imagery with AI-driven analytics. The imagery improves visual clarity, reduces classification ambiguity and lowers analyst workload. The system captures vehicles, maritime vessels, aircraft and individual people.