WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force awarded Umbra, a industrial operator of radar imaging satellites, a $1.25 million contract to exhibit the capabilities of space-based radar sensors to trace moving targets on the bottom.
Under the Small Business Innovation Research Phase 2 contract, announced Aug. 22, the Air Force will work with Umbra on “space-based moving goal indication.”
Based in Santa Barbara, California, Umbra operates a constellation of six high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellites.
The usage of radar satellites to trace moving targets was identified as a top priority for the Department of the Air Force. The U.S. military for a long time has relied on radar-equipped aircraft often known as JSTARS — or Joint Surveillance Goal Attack Radar System — to discriminate targets against the bottom clutter.
Air Force and Space Force leaders in 2021 revealed plans to work with the U.S. intelligence community to pursue a space-based goal tracking capability to replace JSTARS. These aircraft require large crews and are vulnerable to enemy air-defense missiles when flying over combat zones.
“With the tip of the JSTARS program, Umbra understands the national imperative to develop a multi-domain substitute capability with a powerful space-based element,” said Jason Mallare, Umbra’s vp of presidency programs and strategy.
Mallare said Umbra intends to offer “inexpensive spacecraft and ground infrastructure.”