The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit has started to seek offers from U.S. operators of remote sensing satellites that can provide data analytics and imagery services, SpaceNews reported Monday.
A solicitation published Monday says DIU’s Peacetime Indications and Warning project seeks to use commercial products to supplement the military’s remote sensing capabilities.
The Department of Defense has a “critical need for improved, large scale, situational awareness satisfied by less expensive, day-night, all-weather imaging satellites capable of filling gaps in space-based reconnaissance,” a spokesperson for DIU told the publication.
DIU is interested in remote sensing technologies such as hyperspectral imaging, synthetic aperture radar, electro-optical imaging, radio frequency sensing and infrared imaging.
Interested vendors have until Jan. 26 to submit bids.