BAE Systems and South Korea’s Hanwha Systems have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop a new generation of multi-sensor satellite systems aimed at the international intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) market.
The partnership will focus on combining BAE Systems’ ultra-wide band radio frequency (RF) sensors with Hanwha’s next-generation Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capabilities, with the aim of creating a satellite platform that integrates and processes both RF and SAR data using on-board machine learning.
“Bringing together our pedigree in space with Hanwha Systems’ expertise in SAR satellites represents an exciting opportunity to progress ISR capabilities from space for international markets,” said Rachael Hoyle, Space Director at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. “We’re looking forward to building this relationship and advancing space technologies together.”
Hanwha’s Head of Space Division, Sung-Chan Song, said the collaboration aligned with his company’s strategic ambitions. “Small SAR satellites are becoming increasingly recognised as invaluable resources for surveillance and reconnaissance,” he said. “Hanwha Systems is proud to collaborate with BAE Systems as we look to further expand our presence in the global satellite market.”
UK Industry Minister Sarah Jones MP welcomed the announcement, calling it a strategic boost to both countries’ defence and commercial space sectors.
“The UK and South Korea are already world leaders in the space industry, and this new partnership is exactly what we both need to create jobs, advance cutting-edge technologies and expand into new international markets,” she said. “Our modern Industrial Strategy will set out how we’ll boost the space sector further to reach new heights and unlock more investment and jobs in the industries of tomorrow, as part of this government’s Plan for Change.”
The new system is expected to operate in low Earth orbit and form part of BAE Systems’ upcoming satellite cluster, known as Azalea™, which is scheduled for launch later this year. The mission is intended to enhance situational awareness and threat detection in and through the space domain.
Hanwha Systems is a leading South Korean defence and aerospace firm with a growing presence in satellite technology. It provides ISR, C5I and naval systems for the Republic of Korea’s armed forces, and is involved in national military satellite programmes focused on near-real-time intelligence gathering across the Korean peninsula and surrounding regions.
BAE Systems has maintained a presence in Korea for decades and serves both government and industrial customers across the air, land and sea domains. Its space portfolio includes satellite design, construction, and operations, in addition to advanced communications, telemetry, and signal processing technologies.
This is something we should push the boat out for. Go for a global constellation of hundred plus satellites. Everything from ELINT/SIGNIT capabilities to the ability to find and track Russian road mobile ICBM’s continuously.
This is all very affordable, many smaller nations than the UK are looking at wide scale role out of constellations of SAR and EO although only the US appears to be working on something similar to this with sky shield.
“Azalea” WW11 Flower class, sadly her radio wasn’t working during the night of the D Day practice session at Slapton Sands.
Hopefully this project will have better luck.
“lest we forget”.