SAN DIEGO, May 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, and HawkEye 360, announced today a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the potential of expanding Kratos’ industry-leading carrier monitoring, interference detection and geolocation offerings with HawkEye 360’s planned space-based RF detection and geolocation services.
Under the MOU the companies will explore opportunities to augment Kratos’ terrestrial-based sensor network capabilities with HawkEye 360’s planned space-based RF detection and geolocation services. The combination of space and terrestrial sensors will benefit a wide array of customers by increasing the speed and accuracy of data analysis for industries as varied as broadcasting, transportation, military, public sector, manufacturing, and emergency response.
“The ability to infuse our terrestrial-based sensor data with HawkEye 360’s space-based RF monitoring data will broaden our data sources, and enhance the precision and performance of the analytics and insight services we provide to customers,” said Greg Caicedo, Kratos Vice President.
Included in Kratos’ portfolio of enterprise-grade ground segment products and solutions is its unique global RF network that helps commercial and government satellite operators assure satellite and payload performance with carrier monitoring, interference detection, geolocation and data analytic services. Kratos is expanding its infrastructure with seven new worldwide monitoring sites—including HTS spot beam and VSAT monitoring— hosting more than 60 antennas and providing visibility to over 50 satellites, 100 beams and 200 transponders.
HawkEye 360 plans to build a system in low Earth orbit using constellations of satellites, the first launch of which is scheduled for early 2018, with the complete RF survey/geolocation constellation scheduled to be on orbit by 2020. HawkEye 360’s system will monitor RF spectrum usage to help identify areas of interference, better understand spectrum deployment, and avoid negative impact to operations. The system could also help to detect and locate activated emergency beacons to improve response times in life-threatening situations.
“By harnessing the power of geospatial data analysis and turning it into actionable information, HawkEye 360 and Kratos can give customers the tools needed to make critical decisions,” said John Serafini, Chief Executive Officer of HawkEye 360. “The collaboration we’ve formed with Kratos is an example of the power and value that lies in teaming up with other companies in the “New Space” industry to provide enhanced services that benefit customers and providers. It is the growth of the future in this industry.”
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS) is a mid-tier government contractor at the forefront of the Department of Defense’s Third Offset Strategy. Kratos is a leading technology, intellectual property and proprietary product and solution company focused on the United States and its allies’ national security. Kratos is the industry leader in high performance unmanned aerial drone target systems used to test weapon systems and to train the warfighter, and is a provider of high performance unmanned combat aerial systems for force multiplication and amplification. Kratos is also an industry leader in satellite communications, microwave electronics, cyber security/warfare, missile defense and combat systems. Kratos has primarily an engineering and technically oriented work force of approximately 2,900. Substantially all of Kratos' work is performed on a military base, in a secure facility or at a critical infrastructure location. Kratos' primary end customers are National Security related agencies. News and information are available at www.KratosDefense.com
About HawkEye 360
HawkEye 360 is developing a constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) to generate reports on wireless signals that can be used to track and monitor global transportation networks, assist with emergencies, as well as other data analytics services. The company seeks to provide highly accurate maritime situational awareness, collecting information about vessels to create a wealth of current and historical data useful for commercial planning and monitoring, as well as emergency response. Similar data will be available for airborne and land-based transportation and logistics industries. More information about the company can be found at www.he360.com.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 25, 2016, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.